Carrie Lam says government's first four months 'productive'

The first four months of government under Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying were "productive", with the team having a "strong determination to get things done", according to Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Despite big demonstrations on issues such as national education, these would have generated just as much controversy if they had arisen under the last government, Lam said. She recognised, however, that the bad press surrounding some key officials was affecting governance.

"[Their] personal problems have cast some effect," Lam said.

"But governance had already become difficult during the final stage of the last administration. The national education plan could have been just as controversial if it was rolled out by the last government."

Since July, members of the new government have had to grapple with personal scandals that cast doubt on their integrity.

Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po is accused of owning illegally partitioned flats and of drink-driving, Executive Councillor Franklin Lam Fan-keung allegedly profited from insider information on property curbs, and Leung himself was found to have illegal structures at his home on The Peak.

Despite the perceived chaos and flagging popularity, "the team is still strongly determined to get things done", Lam said.