Lawmakers attacked Anson Chan Fang On-sang after she addressed Legco yesterday, saying she sidestepped questions on whether Beijing was unhappy with the level of support given to Tung Chee-hwa.
The Chief Secretary for Administration said she hoped her briefing would end speculation over her trip to Beijing last month, at which she was told by Vice-Premier Qian Qichen she should 'better support' the Chief Executive.
But legislators criticised Mrs Chan for evading their questions after the briefing. Most went unanswered by Mrs Chan, who said she had nothing to add, or were rejected by Legco President Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai for going beyond the boundaries of Mrs Chan's statement.
Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming said: 'She dared not answer my question as to whether what she said in the statement was all that had been said as she doesn't want to tell lies.'
Lee Cheuk-yan of the Confederation of Trade Unions said: 'The more evasive Anson is, the more the proof of others' views that she had been scolded by Beijing leaders and that Beijing had exerted pressure urging her to better support Mr Tung.'
In her statement, Mrs Chan said Mr Qian commended the civil service and 'encouraged' it to continue to support the Chief Executive in implementing policies. 'He considered that, under the leadership of the Chief Executive, civil servants had successfully implemented the policies of 'one country, two systems' and 'Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong',' she said.
'He commended our performance and encouraged us to continue to support the Chief Executive in pursuing his policy objectives.'
