Former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa cites lack of party politics for poor Hong Kong governance
Tung Chee-hwa also echoes top Beijing official’s warning to independence advocates
Former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has urged Hong Kong’s government and pro-establishment politicians to build a close partnership to overcome the failures of an executive-led system and solve the city’s myriad problems.
Hong Kong’s first leader after its handover to China, and who is now an elder statesman trusted by Beijing, made the rallying call yesterday, three months ahead of what is expected to be the city’s most fiercely contested Legislative Council election in a politically polarised climate.
At a luncheon organised by his think tank, Our Hong Kong Foundation, Tung admitted that the past three administrations – including his own – had failed to run an executive-led government as envisioned in the Basic Law while it had been the model of the colonial government before 1997.
“The problem is the chief executive does not lead any political parties, while the lawmakers are popularly elected,” he explained. “They represent different interest groups, and have thus constantly run into disputes with one another and the SAR government.”
The government and its traditional political allies should work more closely to forge “a closer partnership relationship” he said, and allow politicians to have a greater say in policymaking.
