Henry Tang drops a clanger at Jockey Club
Was it bad luck or what? New Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen stood helplessly in front of cameras at the Hong Kong Jockey Club at Sha Tin when the bottom of a trophy he was presenting to winner and lawmaker Tommy Cheung Yu-yan suddenly fell off. The lid of the trophy also dropped to the floor. Both men left the ceremony speechless. But it wasn't really their fault; one would have expected better product quality control from one of the city's most prestigious and wealthiest clubs.
New minister finds himself in a hot spot
Newly appointed ministers might have thought their jobs came with spacious offices with air conditioning. But home affairs secretary Tsang Tak-sing, who easily evaded sensitive questions on the July 1 march, at a painting exhibition yesterday, found himself braving the heat when he joined a patriotic parade in a district celebration in Kwun Tong for the 10th anniversary of the handover. 'I now realise that much of the work of the secretary for home affairs is carried out outside the office,' he said.
Aspen, altitude and arias for Sarah Liao
Leaving behind her heavy duties as environment chief, Sarah Liao Sau-tung is about to jump on a plane to the United States, where she will go hiking and take in the opera. Dr Liao said she was leaving this week for Aspen, Colorado, the mountain town famed for its extensive mix of arts programmes, cultural events and soaring property prices. As a nature lover and viola player, Dr Liao will visit the Aspen Highlands, a popular hiking venue at an altitude of 1,000 metres. She will also go to the opera with her family - her sister is a scriptwriter and her brother-in-law an operatic performer. But what of her long-term plans after the holiday? Dr Liao said she preferred focusing on volunteer work on the mainland. 'I will stay away from Hong Kong and let my successor do his job freely,' she said. This will no doubt be reassuring news for that man, Edward Yau Tang-wah.
