Chief likely to skip Beijing talks
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is unlikely to attend key meetings in Beijing next month because of his busy schedule, according to a Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Standing Committee member, Chan Wing-kee.
Mr Tsang met 30 CPPCC members on Monday at Government House to exchange views on various issues. Mr Chan, who attended the meeting, said yesterday he knew Mr Tsang had already received invitations to attend National People's Congress (NPC) and CPPCC plenums early next month.
'But because he's so busy here, the likelihood he will not go up for the meetings is high,' he said, adding it would fuel gossip if Mr Tsang went to Beijing at such a 'sensitive time'.
A spokesman from the chief executive's office said 'an announcement will be made in due course'.
Tsang Hin-chi, an NPC Standing Committee member, said: 'You can't just dump your duties in seeking re-election to go.' He said relevant documents would be sent to the chief executive. 'Even if he doesn't go, he will be informed of the proceedings.'
Although the chief executive is not an NPC deputy, he usually sits with his Macau counterpart on the stage at the opening session.
