Tung selects pro-Beijing officials for policy group

Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) added two new allies to his top policymaking body yesterday, but left out a pro-democracy lawmaker who had earlier been tipped for inclusion.

News media had reported that Tung was expected to name attorney Alan Leong (梁家傑) as a member of his Executive Council, a move perceived as a way for Tung to shore up his shaky support in the legislature by bringing in a pro-democracy advocate.

But Leong's name was not mentioned when Tung announced two appointments yesterday.

Tung never confirmed whether he had asked Leong, who is seen as a moderate opposition figure, to join his top policymaking circle, and Leong did not immediately return a phone call from reporters.

Tung announced two new Executive Council appointments: Legislator Bernard Chan (陳智思), who represents the insurance industry in the legislature; and former Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission Deputy Chairwoman Laura Cha.

Cha formerly was vice chairwoman of China's Securities Regulatory Commission, so will apparently bring a strong pro-Beijing voice to Tung's council. Chan has typically voted with the Hong Kong government on legislative matters.

In response to a reporter's question, Tung declined to say whether he had asked a pro-democracy member to join the Executive Council, or if any such invitations had been declined.

But Tung said he "takes seriously" the political opposition and is willing to work with them.

Political scientist Ma Ngok at the University of Science and Technology said the two newly appointed members probably won't help much in bringing the public's opinions before the Executive Council.

"The appointments fail to help the government create a more open image," Ma said.