Anson Chan lashes out at 'constant, depressing' criticism

LEGISLATORS were warned yesterday that unconstructive criticism of the Governor's Policy Address would demoralise the civil service and hamper Government efforts to boost international confidence over the future of Hong Kong.

Leading the administration's fight-back at the end of a Legislative Council debate, Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang reiterated their desire to improve co-operation with China - but offered no new initiatives to improve contacts with the Preliminary Working Committee (PWC).

Baffled by the failure of Mr Chris Patten to mend fences with Beijing, nine members of the Liberal Party voted against the motion that 'this Council thanks the Governor for his address'.

But the motion was passed by a vote of 35 to nine, with the support of Democratic Party and even pro-China legislators.

Vice-chairman of the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong Tam Yiu-chung said: 'Even though I oppose parts of the policy speech, I would not be so rude as not to say a thank you.' Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming said his party was satisfied with the administration's response as the Government had considered its advice.

This is the first time that the traditional 'thank you' motion has been seriously challenged by legislators.