Hong Kong leadership race unlikely to be ‘gentlemen’s fight’, Rita Fan says amid rift at top of government
Apparent dispute between Leung Chun-ying and finance chief John Tsang over lawmakers’ questions has affected government’s image, pro-establishment heavyweight says
The apparent dispute between Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and finance chief John Tsang Chun-wah over how to handle lawmakers facing disqualification proceedings has affected the government’s image, a pro-establishment heavyweight said on Wednesday.
Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, a member of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, lamented that the upcoming chief executive race was unlikely to be a “gentlemen’s fight”.
“I hope everyone will show off their merits and not smear each other,” she said on a Commercial Radio programme. “I don’t like elections in the United States because candidates smear each other every time.”
But Tsang backed down hours later when, facing concerns from across the political spectrum, the government said it would not refuse questions from the legislators.
On Tuesday, Leung said Tsang should not have refused to address their queries in Legco.
“We would have discussed it in advance if we had known about it,” Leung said. Tsang “should not have gone as far as not answering questions from the four lawmakers”.
Both Leung and Tsang are expected to run in the upcoming election.
I don’t like elections in the United States because candidates smear each other every time
Fan said the saga had affected the government’s image, making the public guess about what was actually happening within the administration.
“The public and the media admire a person who shoulders responsibility. People understand that you haven’t actually always made the mistake yourself even if you shoulder the responsibility. In fact, you get extra points for doing so,” said the former Legco president.
She said the latest drama reminded her of when New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee was secretary for security.
Fan said the disciplined forces had respected Ip very much because no matter what happened, they knew she would take responsibility.
Ip is also expected to run for chief executive.
Fan, who is said to be close to Beijing officials, said the central government hoped the next chief executive would be a “tough” and “trustworthy” person. While Leung had proven he possessed those qualities, it was still hard to say who Beijing’s favourite would be, she said.
“The central government has also said it is important to have harmony. Otherwise, it is difficult for the city to develop,” Fan said.
