The city is gearing up for the first aggressive debate among the three candidates for chief executive, who have agreed to revised rules that allow them to answer questions directed at an opponent.
Albert Ho Chun-yan, Henry Tang Ying-yen and Leung Chun-ying will meet in a two-hour live televised debate focusing on governance, the economy and politics at RTHK's Broadcasting House in Kowloon Tong on Friday at 8pm.
The trio's representatives signed an amendment to the debate rules yesterday confirming the final arrangements for 'crossfire' sessions in which each contender would get eight minutes to direct questions at a rival of his choice.
If the third candidate wants to intervene and reply to a particular question, he must raise his hand. The candidate who posed the question will decide whether to allow the intervening party to speak.
Three crossfire sessions will take place during the two-hour debate.
Democratic Party vice-chairman Sin Chung-kai, who signed the deal on behalf of Ho, called the amendment 'improved and acceptable'.
'It strikes a balance between free intervention and no intervention at all,' he said.