Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa met a group of pro-democracy legislators yesterday for the first time since taking office. Despite the smiles and handshakes, the gap between them appeared as unbridgeable as ever
The rift between Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and the pro-democracy camp of legislators shows no sign of closing following unprecedented face-to-face talks yesterday.
Mr Tung emerged smiling from the meeting at the Central Government Offices, the first between the chief executive and a group of pro-democracy legislators since he took office. This was despite being called upon by one legislator to step down.
Although he pledged to conduct 'comprehensive consultation' on Article 23 and future constitutional reform, Mr Tung disappointed the 17 assembled legislators by offering no specific timetables, and refusing also to confirm future meetings with the democratic camp.
'We will make sure that there will be plenty of time for the public to discuss and be consulted on this matter,' he said, referring to the pace of political reform. 'The purpose is to win the maximum support and understanding of the community. We've not set a timetable for the legislative process.'
Mr Tung had offered to meet for the first time all pro-democracy lawmakers in an apparent bid to show he welcomed dissenting views. Nearly all of the 17 legislators from the Democratic Party and its allies present, however, said they were disappointed that the meeting was not 'genuine dialogue'.
