A political group said it was disappointing and worrying that Tung Chee-hwa had failed to elaborate how the policy of 'one country, two systems' could be implemented in his Policy Address.
Emily Lau Wai-hing of The Frontier said the Chief Executive should spell out in legal terms the relationship between the SAR Government and the mainland authorities.
'Everyone seems to be avoiding the issue,' she said.
'Many people have had expectations on the vague term - the autonomy enshrined by the 'one country, two systems'.
'But how do we actually implement it?' Colleague Lee Cheuk-yan said the policy blueprint had shown the emergence of 'the rule of businessmen', with democracy and liberty issues being sidestepped.
He said: 'Democracy would challenge the established benefits of those in power, so, like human rights and freedom, democracy seems to be framed by a plaster cast now, with broken bones inside.' He claimed the Policy Address showed a willingness to give funds to projects which helped to make money, such as tourism, but a reluctance to assist those of no economic value, such as the elderly.
