The Hong Kong establishment is sending the public mixed signals on the subject of political neutrality in the run-up to the legislature's elections in May.
The cultural activities sub-committee of the Provisional Urban Council (Urbco) banned a handover film produced in part by Christine Loh Kung-wai from this year's International Film Festival, on the grounds that it would give the ousted legislator an advantage in her election campaign.
But the council's standing committee yesterday overturned the sub-committee's decision, suggesting that the assessment of whether the publicity will help Ms Loh should be left to the electoral affairs commission.
The Urbco dispute looks like a storm in a teacup because the publicity that Ms Loh can gain is likely to be immaterial, given the small audience the film festival normally attracts.
Warranting more attention on the subject of political neutrality are incidents that will affect the greater public. One prime example is the meeting between Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) representatives on the eve of the Government's announcement of the compensation package for CA Pacific Securities investors.
Immediately after the meeting with Mr Tung, also attended by a few representatives of CA Pacific Securities investors, DAB leaders outlined the Government's compensation plan to a gathering of investors, leaving the impression that the package was secured by the party's efforts.
Given that the CA Pacific dispute has clearly become an election issue for both the DAB and the rival Democratic Party, it is surprising that the Chief Executive saw fit to grant DAB representatives an audience a day before the announcement.