Pan-democrats say they may boycott C. Y. Leung's 'pointless' trip to Guangdong

Pan-democrats are likely to boycott a visit to the mainland proposed by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, with the Democratic Party saying it would be interested only if food safety and pollution issues were covered.

Some lawmakers also felt the trip would be pointless because political reform would not be on the agenda.

A government spokesman said yesterday that Leung spoke to Guangdong authorities about a visit to the province by all 70 lawmakers by the end of next month. He also asked Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing to gather views from lawmakers.

Leung later said that as Hong Kong and Guangdong forged closer social and economic ties there was a need for deeper understanding on issues such as water supplies and care of the elderly. He hoped that such visits could become regular events.

A government source said the three-day trip was likely to take in Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Zhongshan . It could also include a meeting with provincial party secretary Hu Chunhua , a rising star in the Communist Party.

"Infrastructure projects have been progressing quickly in Guangdong … but we will try our best to accommodate on issues such as what to see there," the source said. "We hope this trip can help to foster mutual understanding and avoid misjudgments."