An unruly legislator got Tung Chee-hwa's policy speech off to a difficult start, and some unco-operative equipment caused hiccups in the middle, but in the end there were smiles - despite the chief executive finding it necessary to deliver a dose of humble self-criticism.
Mr Tung arrived in the Legco chamber to a rowdy welcome from protest veteran 'Long Hair' Leung Kwok-hung.
Mr Leung rose as Mr Tung was about to start his address at 2.30pm, shouting that he wanted to 'express my opinion to Mr Tung'.
Failing to silence him, Legco President Rita Fan announced: 'Mr Tung, together with me, will withdraw from the chamber', as the maverick lawmaker shouted: 'Mr Tung was chosen by 800 people. He is not qualified to deliver a speech in this legislature. He transfers interests to big businesses, Li Ka-shing, West Kowloon.'
Returning after seven minutes, Mrs Fan told Mr Leung his conduct was out of line with Legco's proceedings and asked him to promise no further disruptions.
Mr Leung responded by vehemently restating his case and walking out in protest, but not before one wag in the democratic camp was heard to observe that Mr Leung had achieved his objective of getting Mr Tung to stand down - if only for a few minutes.
Mrs Fan's smile at Mr Leung's departure was triumphant.