Hong Kong leader's speech is most unpopular ever, new poll shows
As HKU survey finds chief executive's policy address the most unpopular ever, former leader says speech shows Leung's pragmatic side
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's policy address last week was the least popular annual keynote address since the 1997 handover, a University of Hong Kong poll shows.
But in a break with tradition, Leung did find backing from the city's first chief executive. Tung Chee-hwa endorsed Leung for giving "a pragmatic address that deeply understands the public sentiment". No former leader had commented publicly on a policy address before.
Tung, a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has kept a low profile in Hong Kong since resigning a decade ago. But the former shipping magnate returned to the spotlight last year, calling for an end to the Occupy Central protests and setting up a think tank on local development.
Asked by a reporter whether his comment was Beijing's way of showing support for the beleaguered chief executive, Tung said: "You are full of imagination, but I am going to let you down because I am doing this simply because I am a Hongkonger and I care about Hong Kong affairs."
Leung was also asked whether the public remarks from Tung were a sign Beijing doubted his capabilities. He, too, laughed off the question, saying it was "too imaginative" to think the central government might be involved, and adding: "It is not the first time Tung has made comments on Hong Kong affairs."
While Tung has pledged to speak up again, Chinese University political scientist Ma Ngok questioned whether his intervention would help Leung.