The Liberal Party has voiced doubts over whether Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen can develop a profound relationship with the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
Amid growing contacts between Mr Tsang and the pro-government camp, Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun said his party and the government shared a similar governing philosophy and therefore enjoyed closer relations.
He dismissed Mr Tsang's improving ties with the DAB as a threat to the Liberals, saying the chief executive only dealt with the DAB on a case-by-case basis for the sake of winning votes in the legislature.
'Our relationship is much closer. As they [the DAB] don't share the same vision and philosophy, their relationship is not profound.'
Mr Tien said Mr Tsang had held talks with him once a month since October to assess the party's stance on forthcoming issues.
He urged Mr Tsang to compromise when necessary. 'He shouldn't insist on implementing 100 per cent of what he has proposed in order to show his strong governance', he said, in a reference to the tussle over the proposed indoor smoking ban.