Democrats Criticize Chief Executive Tung's Plan to Attend Party With Pro-Beijing Candidates

Today Democratic Party Vice-Chairman Dr. Anthony Cheung responded to press reports that SAR Chief Executive C.H. Tung would attend a Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) Labour Day anniversary party tomorrow where at least four current candidates for the May 24 elections will be in attendance. The leftist FTU will field two candidates for the 24 May polls, and two other well-known members, Tam Yiu-chung and Chan Yuen-han, are core FTU stalwarts. Mr. Tung's appearance at this partisan event is in notable conflict with his earlier refusal to continue regular meetings with Democratic party leaders in March on the basis that it was too close to the elections.

Democratic Party Vice Chairman Anthony Cheung commented:

The FTU is not just a trade union. In the coming election, it is also a contesting party. It is inappropriate that Chief Executive Tung would consider attending a political function where he knows there will be at least four candidates for the May elections present.

Such a meeting suggests favouritism to pro-Beijing candidates and has the appearance of a double standard. It is also curious in light of Mr. Tung's earlier explanation for cancelling the last regularly scheduled meeting with leaders of the Democratic Party in March -* that it was simply too close to the elections.

I am afraid this decision shows a lack of judgement and a failure to understand the appearance of bias his attendance at a political function would convey. We strongly urge Chief Executive Tung not to attend this party and to explain to the public why he does not avoid the appearance of political favouritism.

PRESS STATEMENT 27 April 1998