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Donald Tsang
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Government hits back in row over bridge project

Donald Tsang
Amy Nip

Legal challenges to government decisions were unavoidable, the city's environmental chief said, as another top official defended Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen against claims he was attacking the independence of the courts.

Tsang last week accused some politicians of using the courts to harm the city's interests - and promote their political agendas - by blocking major projects on environmental grounds.

His comments came after the government filed an appeal against a High Court ruling that quashed the environmental permit for the building of the massive Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge.

Pan-democrats - led by Civic Party vice-chairman Albert Lai Kwong-tak - criticised Tsang for putting pressure on the court, while the legal profession voiced concerns about him making comments about an ongoing case.

Environment Secretary Edward Yau Tang-wah moved yesterday to play down the row, saying everyone had the right to use legal procedures.

'There is rule of law in Hong Kong. Any individual or groups can take their cases to the court if they are dissatisfied with the government's decisions,' Yau told Commercial Radio.

He said such disputes would take place whether the Environmental Protection Department liked it or not. 'If the court's judgment does not match with our opinion, the law also allows both parties in the court case to appeal against it. This principle applies to anyone, regardless of whether you are from the government or not,' he added.

The government will consider how it can minimise delays to the project caused by the decision.

Justice Secretary Wong Yan-lung, meanwhile, leapt to Tsang's defence, saying the city's chief was not interfering with the courts.

'The chief executive respects the public's right to challenge the government's decision in court,'' Wong said yesterday.

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