Tsang Angry at WSJ's Editorial -- Again

Tsang complains about WSJ editorial second time in a month

Constitutional affairs minister Erick Tsang Kwok-wai complained yet again to the Wall Street Journal about its editorial on Sunday's Legislative Council election, describing it as a "sham poll", and accusing the newspaper of "arrogance which knows no bounds".

It is the second time in a month that Tsang sent a strongly worded letter to complain the New York-based newspaper must correct its "inaccuracies".

"I am sickened by your biased and unsubstantiated editorials on Hong Kong issues and have given up hope that you will ever try to report accurately and fairly on Hong Kong," Tsang wrote in a letter dated on December 23.

Tsang (second left) retorts NY's voter turn out low

The opinion piece was titled: "Democracy Boycott in Hong Kong", which was published hours after voting closed on the first poll following the massive revamp of the electoral system.

The newspaper described the Legislative Council election as "a sham poll" in which democratic candidates were blocked from running", adding that "all candidates must receive Communist Party approval".

How is the second part incorrect? Because it was one-sided, the democratic candidates did not feel it was worth throwing their hats into the ring.

Tsang compared the poll's 30.2 percent turnout -- the lowest since 1997 -- to the 23 percent recorded in the recent New York mayoral contest, and the 33.3 percent of this year's French regional elections.''

"Following the logic of your argument, would you also suggest that 'almost nobody came to the election' in those two elections?" Tsang asked.

This is where Western countries have to be ashamed for their poor voter turnout, whereas in Australia you must vote otherwise you will be fined.

Only one non pro-Beijing candidate won

He also refers to a line in the editorial which said the news paper "seems to have a better feel for Hong Kong public sentiment than the government does", to which the minister countered: "I wonder how many times you have visited our city for you to be able to make such a claim. I am stunned by your arrogance which knows no bounds".

Earlier this month Tsang threatened to "take necessary action" against the WSJ over an editorial that he claimed incited residents to boycott the election or cast blank votes.

An opinion piece the following day disputed Tsang's December 6 letter and said he "seemed oblivious to the irony" when he started that Hong Kong upheld freedom of speech, the press and publication.

Tsang's knee-jerk reaction is so shrill and emotional, it's hard to take him that seriously...