The Democrats have given a rare vote of approval to Tung Chee-hwa's performance.
They have backed his swift intervention after an SAR-based mainland official said local business people should not trade with Taiwan firms advocating independence. Party leaders supported the Chief Executive's response, but added that he should also raise the matter directly with Beijing.
The party was referring to remarks made by He Zhiming, a deputy head of the Taiwan Affairs Department of the central Government's Liaison Office.
Mr Tung said he had discussed the remarks with the mainland's chief representative in Hong Kong, Jiang Enzhu. Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan Fang On-sang also said officials should not interfere with commercial decisions.
A poll by the Democrats showed that 62 per cent of those who were aware of the remarks saw them as a threat to the 'one country, two systems' policy. A total of 56 per cent feared economic development in Hong Kong and on the mainland would be jeopardised.
About two-thirds said the Hong Kong Government should demand that Beijing guard against similar comments being made in future.