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Ambrose Leung

Anson Chan Fang On-sang  yesterday challenged her election rival Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee  to attend a rally on Sunday in support of full democracy in 2012.
But Mrs Ip refused to take up the invitation, saying there were many ways to express support for democracy.
Speaking  on the campaign trail for the December 2 Hong Kong' Island Legislative Council by-election, Mrs Chan urged Mrs Ip to put her words into action by taking part in  the pro-democracy rally.
'Of course, I want her to attend as she  claims she also supports universal suffrage by 2012. Sunday will be a very good opportunity for everyone to express their strong demand for universal suffrage by 2012,' Mrs Chan said.
'I hope to see Mrs Ip in  Victoria Park.'
Thousands of people are expected to turn up at the rally, where pan-democrats hope to set a new world record by asking participants to open umbrellas with signs of 2-0-1-2 printed on them - signifying public demand for universal suffrage.
As well as taking part in the rally, which will be held in the park at 1pm,  Mrs Chan is expected to march with protesters to the government headquarters at 3pm to demand full democracy.
But Mrs Ip said she had no plans to join the event.
'So far, I have not yet received any written or oral invitation from anyone,' she said. 'But I have no intention to show up anyway. I think there are many ways one can express their support for democracy.'
Since declaring her candidacy last week, Mrs Ip has said that she  would support returning the chief executive by 2012 through universal suffrage, though on condition that Beijing's approval be sought first.
Mrs Chan continued canvassing yesterday for the  by-election, attracting a large number of onlookers during the lunchtime rush hour in Wan Chai.
Office workers in suits, housewives with shopping bags, and tourists  crowded around her to obtain campaign leaflets. Many asked for her autograph and photograph.
'My whole family will vote for you, Mrs Chan, because you work for the best interest of Hong Kong,' one woman said.
Ahead of Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's  policy address on Wednesday, Mrs Chan said the chief executive should address the public's desire for universal suffrage, in particular stating clearly how he planned to come up with a solid democratisation plan after the green paper consultation, which ends that day.
'Everybody will expect Mr Tsang to deliver over a whole series of livelihood issues and universal suffrage. I believe the vast majority of the people would hope to see the introduction of universal suffrage by 2012,' Mrs Chan said.
Meanwhile, Mrs Ip  attended a function held by employers of foreign domestic helpers to launch a campaign against the so-called maid tax, imposed since 2003. A website, www.abolishlevy.hk, has been created  for employers to air their views.
Supporting the employers, Mrs Ip urged the government to  rethink the policy.
She said she was finalising her own proposals on the pace of democratisation in Hong Kong and would be releasing her package in due course.



Join suffrage rally, Anson Chan urges Regina Ip