Top Liberal backs Democrats

Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun said he had voted for the Democratic Party in Hong Kong Island - even though he ordered his party members to support non-affiliated Ronald Fung Leung-lo. Mr Tien said he had backed the list headed by Democrat chief Martin Lee Chu-ming because Mr Lee had voted for him in last November's district council poll.

Mr Tien won that contest, but party vice-chairman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee was defeated by Mr Fung. 'I am now giving him back the vote I owed him. Although the Liberal Party supports Fung Leung-lo, I cast a vote for Mr Lee in return,' Mr Tien said. The party, which did not contest Hong Kong Island, was accused of political expediency after it decided on Friday to back Mr Fung.