More informal talks planned
THE Preliminary Working Committee (PWC) will continue contacts with civil service groups, following their first controversial meeting with the unions yesterday.
The PWC political affairs sub-group Hong Kong co-convenor, Leung Chun-ying, said after a two-hour informal meeting with two major staff unions: 'Both sides agree that the style of today's conversation should be maintained to help further exchange ideas.
'We hope we can have more detailed and comprehensive discussion on other issues.' The meeting was controversial because the Government bans formal contacts between civil servants and PWC members.
It was initiated by the PWC's civil service study group with the 100,000-member Chinese Civil Servants' Association and the Senior Non-Expatriate Officers Association and was the first of its kind since the PWC was formed.
Representatives from the unions decided to attend after group convenor Wilfred Wong Ying-wai assured them the meeting would be informal.
Mr Leung said: 'Any restriction on contacts is an obstacle.' The Hong Kong Civil Servants' General Union has proposed a committee comprising China, the Government and civil servants be set up to handle transitional matters.
