Another side to People Power's Albert Chan

Another side to People Power's Albert Chan

People Power lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip is a radical pan-democrat famous for his unruly protests. But a Beijing-loyalist legislator passed on a story of Chan acting altogether more obediently. "On a visit to the mainland in 2005, Chan took a booklet on the June 4 massacre and told the media he would protest in front of officials," said the lawmaker, who would only share the tale on condition of anonymity.

But once the cameras were off? "Chan was sitting obediently when the legislators met the officials, without shouting a single slogan," said the lawmaker.

Did he at least hand his booklet to the officials? "Chan gave the book to [then-secretary general of the Legislative Council] Pauline Ng Man-wah to pass to the officials instead."

Chan called the story "blatant smearing - I put all my words into actions". Tanna Chong

Democrats lawmaker taking notes in Taipei?

While pro-democracy activists have been discussing a probable occupation of Central for almost a year and three months, students in Taiwan have been occupying their legislature for the past fortnight in protest against a trade pact with the mainland. Several Hong Kong students have flown to Taipei to support their Taiwanese counterparts. Here, lawmakers have been curiously quiet on the event, except for Beijing loyalists who want to discuss ways to protect Legco from a similar occupation.

All Around Town took a trip to observe the protest movement in Taipei, and ran into the Democratic Party's James To Kun-sun. He was there on a weekend trip with his family, not to help man the barricades. The "super-seat" lawmaker said he tried to get to Ketagalan Boulevard on Sunday as protestors rallied outside the Presidential Office, but had to make do with observing from afar as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators blocked the way. Fanny W.Y.Fung

Can 'Genie' app grant officials their wish?

In recent months the central and Hong Kong governments have been at pains to remind Hongkongers that political reform must be carried out within the framework of the Basic Law. But how much does the average Hongkonger really understand or care about the city's mini-constitution? A barrage of pamphlets and manuals - even pink umbrellas - designed to promote and explain the decisive document all received a lukewarm reception recently.

Now, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has finally decided to speak to the public in a language they might understand - by launching a smartphone app. Using "Basic Law Genie", Hongkongers can consult the full text of the Basic Law, government announcements and even answer questions on the mini-constitution. Will this Genie grant officialdom's wish and drag the public's attention away from the addictive Candy Crush Saga? That may prove beyond its powers. Jeffie Lam