'OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE Government' developed into a catchy cliche among local bureaucrats after the last Governor, Chris Patten, raised the idea upon his arrival here in 1992.
Over the years, there have indeed been subtle changes in the way government works. Officials are in general more responsive now, and information officers in the various departments are more likely to provide meaningful answers to reporters' questions.
But there is still a long way to go. The involvement of the public, or their elected representatives, in the Government's advisory mechanism is still minimal - not to mention public involvement in, or monitoring of, the actual decision-making process.
Cheng Hon-kwan, the chairman of the Transport Advisory Committee, was criticised by legislators last month for engaging in 'black-box operations', after he announced he would no longer reveal the results of committee votes on public-transport operators' fare-rise applications - reversing a longstanding practice.
Dr Cheng said the news blackout was in deference to the Executive Council, the Chief Executive's quasi-cabinet, which makes the final decision on fare rises. He said it would be better if Exco members announced their decisions themselves. Exco is appointed by the Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, and the contents of its discussions are kept strictly secret.
Because Dr Cheng also chairs the Housing Authority, his change of heart raises questions about whether a similar practice will be adopted by the authority, a statutory body that advises the Government on public-housing policies potentially affecting half the SAR's population.