Stephen Lam says HK will push for three links
Hong Kong's constitutional affairs chief said yesterday the government would push for the establishment of the 'three direct links' across the Taiwan Strait, referring to the opening of air, sea and mail ties between the mainland and the island.
Responding to demands by democratic lawmaker Cheung Man-kwong to establish a trade office in Taipei during a budget hearing in Legco, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung said the government supported better cross-strait relations.
But he said a trade office to encourage investment and promote Hong Kong's business was not being considered for now, despite lawmakers' concerns that any delays would harm trade.
'The government will encourage the three direct links and when it happens, we will have to plan and get prepared. We have to consider whether we need such an office in Taiwan, but that depends on long-term developments,' Mr Lam said.
Premier Wen Jiabao yesterday criticised Taipei for hindering plans for the opening of air, sea and mail links.
When pressed on whether the government would welcome Taiwanese politicians, including Taipei Mayor and Kuomintang chairman Ma Ying-jeou visiting Hong Kong, Mr Lam said: 'We are willing to take whatever steps helpful to improve cross-strait relations.'
Mr Lam also said the government would consider whether to extend a scheme providing $10 for each vote Legislative Council candidates received in elections to future district council elections.
The mechanism, which was introduced in the 2004 Legco election, was seen as a boost to participation in politics, giving candidates more incentive to run.
Mr Lam commented on a plan to launch pilot projects to allow district councils more say in running district affairs, saying it was likely that a district in each of the five Legco constituencies would be chosen when the scheme is implemented later this year.
Mr Lam hinted a plan to create political assistants for ministers would be put to public consultation when a government paper is released later this year.
Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of respondents to a reader's poll said they would have more babies if the government increased the child tax allowance.
The survey by Baby magazine found overwhelming disappointment that Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen had not increased the allowance in his budget.
