It would be too simplistic to consider Bernard Chan and Laura Cha Shih May-lung simply two more pro-China, pro-government members of the Executive Council. Mrs Cha, with her experience as a vice-chairwoman of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and, until recently, as vice-chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, should be able to enhance Hong Kong's reputation as an international financial centre and bring confidence to the regulatory environment here. As for Mr Chan, who represents the insurance industry in the legislature, his father, Robin Chan Yau-hing, is a National People's Congress deputy. But it would be wrong to brand him pro-China for that reason. In fact, the younger Mr Chan's words and actions suggest that he is someone who is well accepted by China, but who is not hostile to democracy. A few months ago, when the democratic camp had difficulty finding any insurance company willing to provide cover for the annual June 4 rally, Mr Chan stepped forward and offered his own company to provide cover. In an article in the South China Morning Post shortly after the Legislative Council election, he wrote of the role played by himself and other independent legislators 'who can look at issues from a more detached and objective point of view' and who are 'never afraid of criticising the government or of standing by so-called unpopular policies when they are in the interests of society'. From the government's viewpoint, the inclusion of Mr Chan means that it can now hope to count on the support in Legco not only of the 12 members of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong and the 10 members of the Liberal party, but also of the five members of The Alliance. Of course, this support is not automatic on all issues, but the chances are now much better than before. Certainly, the government was concerned when Emily Lau Wai-hing was elected chairwoman of the Finance Committee, presumably with the support of The Alliance. The appointment of Mr Chan to Exco will make the recurrence of such events less likely. Mr Chan's political inclinations were reflected in a recent Letter From Hong Kong that he wrote for RTHK. In Tycoons, welfare and democracy, he talked of the genuine fear that tycoons have of universal suffrage. 'I don't think that a broader-based political system will inevitably produce widespread demands for a welfare state,' he said. 'If anything, it could even mean the opposite.' But he added that the democratic camp 'cannot simply brush aside the concerns of the business community'. Instead, the democrats should 'put themselves in the business community's shoes' and 'tell us where the money will come from'. Those are not the words of a dyed in the wool conservative but, rather, of someone who is open to differing views. Indications are that barrister Alan Leong Kah-kit is still considering Mr Tung's offer to join the exclusive club. It would be best if he could see his way clear to join Exco and make that body more representative of the community at large. Since he would be appointed in a personal capacity, it would not bind the other legislator members of the Article 45 Concern Group, but it would certainly make Exco deliberations more lively. However, if Mr Leong decides not to take on that role, Mr Chan may from time to time have to act as a surrogate democrat. No doubt, such a label would be the kiss of death for Mr Chan as far as the business community is concerned. Frank Ching is a Hong Kong-based journalist and commentator frankching1@aol.com
