Beijing's top man to hold unprecedented Hong Kong lunch with Legco members
Liaison office chief said to be ready to 'tackle all questions' at unique event as pan-democrats prepare to voice demands on universal suffrage
Beijing's top official in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, is ready to "tackle all questions" at a lunch with the entire Legislative Council - and pan-democrats vowed to voice their strong demand for universal suffrage.
The unprecedented occasion, revealed yesterday, will be the first time the central government's liaison office has sat down with lawmakers from all shades of the political spectrum since the 1997 handover.
It is understood that Zhang, a Basic Law expert who took over as director of the liaison office at the end of last year, is prepared to talk with the pan-democrats on sensitive issues - as Beijing has come to realise the importance of expressing its views directly.
A source familiar with the arrangement said: "Zhang is ready to take whatever questions are raised from the lawmakers."
The source said that as well as lunch, to be held in the dining room of the new Legco offices next Tuesday, Zhang will tour the building. "He will take the opportunity to get to know more about Legco's operations and lawmakers," the source added.
While pan-democrats were busy planning what to say, Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing stressed that it is a social gathering - not an occasion for a serious debate on political reform. He said there would be no specific topics for discussion over lunch.
"As for lawmakers who wish to express their opinion to officials of the liaison office, such as handing over petition letters, I believe we all understand that we should respect each other," he said. "I am not worried that there will be any chaotic scenes." Tsang, who extended the invitation to Zhang last week, said the head table will include legislators from all major political parties, both pro-establishment and pan-democratic.