‘Nothing wrong’ with his government, CY Leung says, as rift emerges at the top

In bid to present picture of government unity, chief executive will chair press conference over Wang Chau housing controversy on Wednesday with Financial Secretary John Tsang

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Published: 10:45am, 20 Sep 2016Updated: 5:58pm, 23 Sep 2016

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying yesterday insisted there was “nothing wrong” with his leadership amid indications of a rift at the top after two of his key ministers publicly distanced themselves from a controversial development plan he led.

Leung was on the defensive as he faced the media ahead of his weekly cabinet meeting and promised a detailed explanation in a major news conference today. Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah – a potential rival if Leung seeks re-election next year – will sit by his boss’ side to explain their roles in the housing project.

“Nothing is wrong ... The whole government team has over the past four years been united,” he replied when asked what was wrong with his administration after both Tsang and Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said they were not involved in the controversial scaling down of the Wang Chau public housing project in Yuen Long.

At today’s news conference, Leung is expected to justify the decision to prioritise the construction of 4,000 flats by displacing three villages instead of developing a larger brownfield site – a ruined agricultural plot – in Wang Chau, which is controlled by rural leaders and would yield 13,000 more flats, as originally planned. Leung has denied bowing to pressure from rural forces to downsize the project, saying this is only the first phase.