Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang pledged yesterday she had made no secret deal with senior Chinese official Lu Ping during a private meeting in Beijing on Friday.
Mrs Chan said this after reporting details of her talks with Mr Lu to Governor Chris Patten at a lengthy meeting at Government House.
'I have reported to the Governor all matters I discussed with director Lu.
'I want to stress that in my so-called 'private' talks with director Lu Ping there was no secret or under-the-table dealing. And it was not a job interview.
'So, don't make unnecessary speculation,' she said.
Mr Patten also sought to clear doubts surrounding the secretive session between Mr Lu and Mrs Chan.
There were no secret deals, Mr Patten said, 'because I trust my Chief Secretary and my Chief Secretary trusts me'.
