Leadership rivals give Tsang's manifesto the thumbs-down

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's manifesto was rated a failure by his two rivals to become Hong Kong's next chief executive.

Democratic Party chairman Lee Wing-tat said Mr Tsang's policy platform was threadbare compared to his own 20-page manifesto. 'I cover 177 points in my platform but he has less than 50. It's too simple,' he said. 'The public is concerned how his platform and policies will develop Hong Kong into a democratic society.'

Mr Lee said the former civil servant had evaded key questions, including the issue of constitutional development, at yesterday's press conference. 'He mentioned constitutional development would recognise the rights and interests of the central government, which means the central government will decide everything and he won't listen to public opinion,' he said.

Mr Lee criticised Mr Tsang for failing to keep his promise to face Hong Kong's 7 million people, as he would only be met by the 800 Election Committee members at the polls. He urged Mr Tsang to attend the more than 20 public forums planned for the next two weeks.

Maverick lawmaker and would-be candidate Chim Pui-chung said Mr Tsang's manifesto was not clear enough. But he added: 'It's good that he admitted not only serving Hong Kong, but he also needs to gain the favour of Beijing.'

He criticised Mr Tsang for saying Hong Kong had lived in fear for the past seven years. 'I don't understand why he described people living in fear when Hong Kong was under the sovereignty of China. And it seems he is not taking responsibility for government inadequacies of the past seven years.'