Giving the media some food for thought
Forget his stern-faced criticism of the pan-democrats, ardent Beijing loyalist Tsang Hin-chi is also a man who cares about the media's appetite. Back in March, when the 73-year-old was attending what now appears to have been his swansong National People's Congress plenum as a Standing Committee member, he invited journalists to lunch at his home. They will visit the Goldlion boss' residence in Kowloon Tong today, looking forward to savouring the wontons and Hakka cuisine Mr Tsang has promised to cook for them. Mr Tsang has also promised that reporters can ask whatever questions they want at the gathering. Whether he will give answers to these questions remains to be seen.
Chief thrives on the Q and A challenge
Donald Tsang Yam-kuen must be one of the few people in the government who enjoys a tough grilling by lawmakers. Despite describing the question-and-answer session as a 'lung X-ray' - a colloquial expression to describe being summoned by the boss over problems at work - Mr Tsang says he cherishes each opportunity to review different aspects of his governance before fielding members' questions. But he conceded he still felt a little nervous taking the floor last Thursday for the 10th time since becoming chief executive, even with a thick briefing document prepared by aides, which was aimed at covering all possible questions. Of the verbal fireworks in Legco, he said they were inevitable, as both sides tried to discharge their duties, or - that phrase again - 'get the job done'.
Government rush to get away from it all
No matter who remains in Mr Tsang's cabinet, many are racing to make their holiday plans before their current contracts expire on June 30. Political Animal has learned that Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping, top of the rumoured list of ministers to be sacked, is planning to clear his backlog of unclaimed holidays in the latter half of next month. A government source said since 'no big moves' would occur within the bureau before the government's new term started, Dr Ho would take a break rather than forfeiting outstanding leave, as unclaimed holidays cannot be exchanged for cash. Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen is taking a week off before he leaves on a business trip to promote Hong Kong in Geneva and Cannes, starting on Monday.
