Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen could justifiably derive some comfort from the latest University of Hong Kong poll showing that distrust in the government is at 8 per cent - the lowest since 1997. This shows trust in the government has been rising.
However, Mr Tsang is no doubt aware that there remains a serious problem in the government's relationship with the legislature. In a radio interview this month, he acknowledged that legislators are responsible for monitoring the executive authorities, but he warned them not to 'overstep the line and become a case of acting primarily out of political rather than practical considerations'.
It is, of course, difficult to ask politicians not to be political. In any event, while the remarks no doubt reflected the chief executive's frustrations, legislators have also been frustrated by what they feel is the refusal of the executive to treat them seriously.
Legislator Leung Yiu-chung filed a formal question: were there specific examples when legislators had 'acted ultra vires and primarily out of political considerations?' And, if there were such examples, would the government conduct a review to see if the chief executive's remarks were rash and harmful to the relationship between the executive and the legislature, and would Mr Tsang apologise for having made such remarks?
His questions were answered on Wednesday by Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung. In the written reply, Mr Lam merely reiterated the Basic Law provisions stipulating the responsibilities of the executive and the legislature, but did not provide any examples where legislators had acted improperly. He neither acknowledged that Mr Tsang had spoken rashly, nor did he offer an apology on behalf of the chief executive.
While Mr Leung is a member of the pro-democracy camp, the unhappiness of legislators with the executive's behaviour rises above party affiliation. On Thursday, during a Legislative Council panel meeting, Chim Pui-chung, who represents the financial services constituency, accused the government of treating the legislature like a rubber stamp.
'During the West Kowloon debate,' he said, 'Chief Secretary Rafael Hui [Si-yan] didn't even bother to meet with us.' Now, the government wants to pass covert-surveillance legislation in six months. 'Do you think we'll co-operate with you because you want to get it done in six months? I can tell you I won't go along with this.'
