Official rejects canvassing perception
A top official has rejected the notion that meetings between three ministers and Legco by-election candidate Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee would be perceived as canvassing.
Speculation that Mrs Ip was being given privileged treatment came after she apparently gained easy accesses to top officials for discussions on policies.
She met education secretary Michael Suen Ming-yeung yesterday, telling him it was time to adopt small-class teaching, and showing her support to the government's commitment to extend free education from nine years to 12.
Mrs Ip also met Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Secretary Stephen Lam Sui-lung in the afternoon to present her views on the green paper on constitutional reform.
Asked if the government was conveying a perception to the public that it was canvassing for Mrs Ip, Mr Lam said it would welcome any groups or individuals who were concerned about constitutional reform and wanted to express their opinions.
Mrs Ip will meet Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Frederick Ma Si-hang today to exchange views on technological development.
