Squeeze in democrats, deputy urged
Pro-democracy lawmakers have urged Vice-President Zeng Qinghong to make time for talks on constitutional reform and be prepared to face demonstrators when he visits Hong Kong later this week.
They said they would try to come up with a joint statement expressing concerns on electoral reform, the June 4 crackdown and Hong Kong's autonomy.
The move came as Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, in Beijing, discussed his policy address and arrangements for the visit with the director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Liao Hui .
Wrapping up his brief visit to the capital before returning to Hong Kong yesterday, Mr Tsang said he might roll out some initiatives on economic co-operation with the mainland.
'It is possible that the economic strategy in the coming policy speech will be related to the mainland. Several possibilities have been discussed and I hope to give an account in the speech,' he said.
Lawmakers expressed regret after Mr Tsang sought to dampen any chance of discussions on electoral reform with Mr Zeng, who will only meet them at a banquet.
Legislator Ronny Tong Ka-wah, of the Article 45 Concern Group, doubted whether Mr Tsang's call for written submissions instead of a debate would be effective. 'I think our views are already very clear to the government and Beijing. What we want to know is why proposals on universal suffrage would not be accepted,' he said.
Audrey Eu Yuet-mee said Mr Zeng should not shy away from facing demonstrations. 'Even if there are demonstrations, he just has to face it with calm. It's a good opportunity for Zeng to show his style as a great leader,' she said.
The chairman of the Democratic Party, Lee Wing-tat, said he was disappointed there would be no formal meeting with Mr Zeng.
'The people of Hong Kong hope very much there will be a clear timetable on democracy. The vice-president should directly listen to our views,' he said.
He hoped Mr Tsang would impress upon Mr Zeng the need for dialogue with the democrats.
Emily Lau Wai-hing, of The Frontier, said democratic allies would seek to reach a common position on issues they wanted to raise, including what they felt was the threat to Hong Kong's autonomous rule and political reform.
Unionist legislator Lee Cheuk-yan said he would push for the vindication of the June 4 protesters, saying this would help to rebuild public trust in the central government.
But Executive Councillor Leung Chun-ying said there were other issues worth discussing with the visiting leader.
Fellow Exco member Cheng Yiu-tong said a cordial atmosphere was vital before sensitive issues such as reforms could be discussed with Mr Zeng.
