President Jiang Zemin's tirade against the Hong Kong media yesterday was an over-reaction triggered by a legitimate question, journalists and legislators said.
They were speaking after Mr Jiang accused journalists of lacking knowledge and asking 'simplistic and naive' questions at a photo-call for Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa.
Mr Jiang appeared to lose his temper when he was asked by Cable TV political reporter Sharon Cheung, a former South China Morning Post journalist, whether his support for Mr Tung to seek a second term amounted to an 'imperial order'.
Mak Yin-ting, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association, said: 'The questions are sensible and legitimate. The media is just reflecting the views of the community.
'There are worries whether the principle of 'one country, two systems' is being implemented after Vice-Premier Qian Qichen said he supported Mr Tung serving another term.
'He seems to have mixed up the views of the media and the views reported by the media. Maybe the media asked the right question and that's why he reacted so strongly. Simple questions are good questions. The interviewees have no room for manoeuvre.'