Polished routine from 'acting, acting, acting' chief executive
Meet the new Donald Tsang Yam-kuen. The snappy tongue firmly on its leash, a humble posture and answers delivered with polish, if a little caution.
That was how Mr Tsang appeared before legislators yesterday during his first lengthy question-and-answer session since the departure of Tung Chee-hwa. Of course, he would be the first to admit that he was only acting. Acting chief executive, that is.
But the going was not at all easy. Lawmakers from the pro-government camp challenged Mr Tsang on various issues, ranging from his likely candidacy for the chief executive race to the controversial West Kowloon Cultural District.
And, of course, there was the expected grilling from pro-democracy legislators on the National People's Congress Standing Committee's latest interpretation of the Basic Law.
There was still plenty of time for light moments, though. Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Chan Yuen-han appeared caught off-guard by Mr Tsang's flattering remarks over her experience in fighting for labour rights. 'I'm too excited!' she exclaimed, explaining her verbal stumbling, to laughter across the chamber.
The first question by independent lawmaker Philip Wong Yu-hong spoke volumes about Mr Tsang's relationship with the pro-government camp. He demanded to know how Mr Tsang was going to convince the public that the civil servants were patriots who loved the country and Hong Kong.
Later, a stock-standard response from Mr Tsang on a different matter attracted sarcasm from Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun. Mr Tsang had pledged to listen to views across society when asked by Liberal Howard Young whether he was going to drop the single-developer approach for the West Kowloon project.
Quoting Mr Tsang's pledge for improvement in the executive-legislature relationship, Mr Tien shot back: 'Just now, when you answered Howard Young's question, you said that you would listen to the views in society and the citizens' opinions, but you didn't mention legislators.'
Mr Tien added he did not believe an acting chief executive could improve the legislature-executive relationship in little more than a month. Mr Tsang replied: 'When I mentioned citizens' views, of course I mean [their views] voiced through legislators. I just said this in abbreviation.' Pausing to let the laughter fade, he stressed: 'This is really what I think.'
So, will the next chief executive attend Legco more often and extend the 75-minute question-and-answer session, Mr Tien asked. 'I'm willing to do 11/2 hours this time. But I'm only the acting, acting, acting chief executive!' Mr Tsang replied, adding: 'If legislators want to have more than four meetings with the chief executive a year or extend the session, I will refer your views to the new chief executive elected on July 10.'
The knowing self-reference drew more laughs.
Asked by Ms Chan if he would introduce a minimum wage and maximum working hours, Mr Tsang said consensus should be reached before making any decision. 'I hope Sister Han will help us ... you're a good speaker, you also understand the demands of the employers,' he added.
Flustered by the praise, Ms Chan said: 'Oh dear! Every time I talk to Donald, we argue, but this time ... I don't know how to respond.'
