Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen last night described the DAB as a 'close comrade' as he vowed to strengthen co-operation with political parties in carrying out the new administration's people-based governance.
Delivering a speech at the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong's 15th anniversary cocktail reception - attended by all his cabinet members as well as top mainland officials in Hong Kong - Mr Tsang expressed hope that the city's government would cement a 'partnership' with the Beijing-loyalist party.
'Recently I've mentioned that walking among the masses is the new style of governance that the SAR government would develop,' he said at a Chinese restaurant at City Hall. 'I believe political parties play an important role in the process, especially the government's close comrades.'
While the government had to actively gauge the views of the public, civic society also had to reflect their views to the government, he said.
In the light of the increasing transparency of government policies, he said citizens and groups would still have 'strong opinions' even though consultation had been held.
Expressing hope that such debates would not create a 'lose-lose' situation, he stressed that as representatives of the grass roots and the general public, the DAB could help turn public opinion into viable policy proposals for the government.