When Anson Chan Fang On-sang came out to join the July 1 rally last year, government officials reportedly claimed that she had ambitions to take Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's job.
Against that background, it is hardly surprising that remarks made by Mr Tsang about his post-retirement plans have fuelled speculation that he was targeting her, in return.
He said this week that he would leave Hong Kong for a period after retirement, to give his successor more room.
Mr Tsang cited the late financial secretary, Sir Philip Haddon-Cave, as an admirable example of a retired official not to be seen meddling in Hong Kong affairs.
Mr Tsang will be due to retire in 2012 if he wins a second term, as he is predicted to do. But the public should be forgiven for feeling puzzled, or even a bit suspicious, as to why he talked about his post-retirement plans.
One sensible guess is that he took the initiative - explaining why he would keep a low profile after retirement - to express his disapproval of Mrs Chan's high-profile deeds and words.
