Conflicting cries from parties

Lawmakers were divided over the Government's intervention.

Democrat Cheung Man-kwong warned that yesterday's battle was only the beginning.

'The Government is not restoring order in the markets but distorting it. It is simply placing a huge bet and has gone so far that it cannot return,' Mr Cheung said.

The Frontier's Emily Lau Wai-hing urged the Government to leave the market as soon as possible.

But Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong's Chan Kam-lam backed the move for the sake of the currency market.

Liberal Party vice-chairman Ronald Arculli also backed the move, as did Hong Kong Progressive Alliance chairman Ambrose Lau Hon-chuen who said intervention was worth the price.