Rita Fan takes leaf from comedian, tells combatants to cool it

While his more conservative detractors often deride comedian Stephen Chow Sing-chi's films as 'no-brainers', his fans have long argued that his oeuvre reflects a deeper analysis of Hong Kong society and pop culture than his slapstick appearance suggests.

Yesterday the wisdom of his most iconic saying was endorsed by the president of the Legislative Council, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, when she offered it as advice to lawmakers and senior government officials as a way of improving their relationship.

'Why not sit down, have a cup of tea, eat a bun, chat at length,' she suggested, echoing Chow's famous words in the TVB series Final Combat.

Mrs Fan said she had emphasised for years that the level of trust between the government, officials and certain lawmakers was low and that communication needed improving.

'Principal officials think that lawmakers only ever criticise and never offer anything constructive. Lawmakers think the officials never listen to their suggestions,' she said.

'The worst is when you only see things from your own perspective and fail to realise the other's difficulties.'