I am a former teacher in Hong Kong on a return visit. Like Jake van der Kamp ('Benevolent despotism is no vote winner', January 6), I was intrigued by Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun - a career civil servant - giving what he says is 'partisan political opinions' in a letter to youth.
Mrs Law responded indignantly ('Integrity in public office', January 7) that she had been misunderstood and that her theme was 'integrity' rather than democracy. Well, I have to ask where the integrity is in what she is doing, for she seems to be abusing her position.
As far as I am aware Mrs Law is not an education professional nor an elected politician - yet she is using the website of the publicly funded Education and Manpower Bureau to send what are described as '10 letters [in Chinese only] to discuss with young people topics relating to core values for personal growth'.
She can do this because Hong Kong is not an independent democracy but part of a communist state where officials have power over the people. As she says, 'integrity is a personal choice' - perhaps she would like to reflect on what she is doing and exercise this choice.
ANGELA LARGE, Lantau
A translation of Mrs Law's website letter to Hong Kong youth accompanies this letter in scmp.com
