The President of the Legislative Council Jasper Tsang Yok-sing has criticised the government for “lacking governing ideology” as a key lawmaker in the pro-Beijing camp says that it is uncertain whether Beijing would support the reelection of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
In an interview with Now TV, Tsang questioned the approach of the current government. “If you ask the general public, or even among politicians, or even primary government officials: ‘What is the governing ideology of the government?’ I do not believe that there will be more than a handful of people who can offer a complete discourse.”
On Monday, Starry Lee Wai-king, chairperson of the pro-Beijing DAB party, refused to offer her full support to the chief executive. Lee said on Commercial Radio that while Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the legislature in China “affirmed the Hong Kong government’s work done under Leung Chun-ying”, it was going “too far” to say the central government was placing its unwavering support for Leung’s re-election.
In the same interview, Lee added, “most people would notice that the chief executive has a certain character, and the way [the chief executive] speaks would cause some conflict.”
DAB meets Zhang.
The comments came following the pro-Beijing DAB party’s visit to meet officials from the central government last week. Ming Pao reported that Zhang gave his full support to Leung during the meeting. He reportedly said that “[we] must support Leung, and we must set down all factional fighting. Supporting Leung is the sensible thing to do, and its where [our] interests lie.”
According to sources cited by Ming Pao, Zhang added that the DAB should “actively support and coordinate with the chief executive and the Hong Kong government to develop the economy and improve livelihoods.”
Following the meeting, Lee did not respond directly to questions as to whether the DAB was asked to support Leung. Lee said that Zhang asked the party to support the Hong Kong government according to law and to improve economic and livelihood issues following the failed political reform vote.
Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, Wang Guangya, also said that it was “too early” to say whether the central government supports Leung Chun-ying possible candidacy as 2017 is two years away.
Earlier this month, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying traveled to Beijing and met with Zhang at a closed door meeting. Following the meeting, Leung said that the central government supported his work. However, Zhang – who is the chairperson of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the top legislative body in China – did not publicly address whether he continues to back Leung, nor did state media report on the meeting.
