Tung seen playing second fiddle to financial chief
Henry Tang grabbing the limelight before policy address and the budget
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa is being overshadowed by Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen as the pair consult the public about the next policy address and budget, politicians and analysts say.
They say Mr Tang has made a good impression by his willingness to attend different forums and reach out to the public and gauge their views.
By contrast, they say Mr Tung has adhered to his traditional approach by meeting groups of lawmakers.
One theory being expressed is that Mr Tang is attracting attention because he is a frontrunner to be the next chief executive, while Mr Tung is in his second and final term.
The policy address will be delivered in January and the budget in March, but both consultations began this month.
Besides meeting lawmakers, Mr Tang has made a promotional video, which is being broadcast during prime-time on television, appealing to the public to express their views, and has set up a webpage devoted to the budget.
He will also go on radio today to listen to public views and will attend forums to answer questions.
Democratic Party vice-chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan said although he did not know how much notice Mr Tung or Mr Tang had taken of the opinions voiced, Mr Tang appeared more receptive and better able to exchange views.
'When we talk with Mr Tung, he is quite stubborn on many issues, but when it comes to some micro issues, such as the West Kowloon [cultural district], it seems that he doesn't know much detail about it,' Mr Ho said.
Lee Cheuk-yan, of the Confederation of Trade Unions, said it was clear Mr Tung had been overshadowed by the financial secretary. 'As Mr Tung is not willing to face the public, it's very easy for him to be overshadowed by the others,' Mr Lee said.
Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong legislator Lau Kong-wah said he hoped the chief executive would visit the districts more often to meet the public.
Ma Ngok, assistant professor at the University of Science and Technology, said he believed politicians were more keen on talking about future policy with Mr Tang, not only because he was in charge of financial affairs but also because they believed they had a better chance of influencing him on future fiscal policy.
Political analyst James Sung Lap-kung, of City University, said Mr Tang was attracting attention because he was regarded as one frontrunner to be the next chief executive.
'Mr Tung's term only has two years and eight months to go. That's why people are not too concerned about what he will do as it is expected that he won't introduce any drastic measures,' he said.
