Opposition Parties Struggling Financially to Stay Alive

Political parties used to raise lots of money from stalls like this

 

With the implementation of the national security law last June that led to the arrest of 47 pan-democratic lawmakers and activists, and now the overhaul of the electoral system, the opposition in the Legislative Council has been decimated literally and also financially.

Opposition parties are losing their main sources of fundraising from participating in rallies, Chinese New Year flower market stalls, and holding annual dinners because of the coronavirus pandemic. And now there is the added pressure that crowdfunding online has led to people involved being arrested for money laundering, thus scaring donors away.

Leong says Civic Party can only last a few months

And now with so many pan-democrats charged with crimes including violating the national security law, much of the money is now being spent on legal fee to defend them.

"The problem is, if you're donating to a party which is accused of subversion, would you not think twice before digging into your purse?" Civic Party chairman Alan Leong Kah-kit said.

Several members of the party are being detained for alleged national security offences and have also recently quit the party, which is the second-biggest in the opposition camp.

Leong revealed the Civic Party now has just enough money to continue for another four or five months unless it received more funding.

Meanwhile the Democratic Party has launched its fundraising campaign by selling raffle tickets for HK$20 each with prizes ranging from an Apple iPad, Dyson purifier and Apple watch.

Democratic Party now holding raffle ticket sales

The party's fundraising chairman, Ramon Yuen Hoi-man said he expected to spend at least HK$10 million this year, much of it used to defend members in court.

To raise other funds, the Democratic Party sold property in Lai Chi Kok but still needs an additional HK$4 million hopefully from raffle ticket sales to stay afloat.

"When I look at the balance sheets, this is the worst of the worst I have seen since I joined the party [10 years ago]," he said.

Yuen added the mass resignation of the lawmakers in Legco also hit the Democratic Party financially, as they would usually contribute 10 percent of their salary, which made up 10 percent of the annual income. In 2019 the members donated HK$1.3 million.

Leong of the Civic Party can't even consider thinking about running for the Legco elections in December when the party may not financially survive until then.

Ng says street booths have fewer donations now

The League of Social Democrats is also facing money problems, as fundraising through street booths has resulted in much lower donations than during the protests.

"We could collect up to HK$400,000 to HK$500,000 on those occasions," said Avery Ng Man-yuen, vice-chairman of the League of Social Democrats.

It's a sad state of affairs to see the opposition in such financial straits. This may be the beginning of the end of them being crushed financially and their donors either not having enough money themselves to donate or are concerned about getting into trouble making contributions.

Beijing must be pleased to see this happening, easily crushing the opposition by financially strangling them...

Increasing Threats on Joshua Wong

Joshua Wong says Hongkongers will not easily surrender

 

Day by day the level of absurdity in Hong Kong rises a notch or two higher. Earlier this week it was the Hong Kong police determining who was a real reporter and who was "fake" to ensure smooth operations.

And then yesterday Joshua Wong Chi-fung was arrested for allegedly breaching the anti-mask law last October 5, when people were banned from covering their faces during protests.

The irony is that wearing masks is mandatory these days because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He was also arrested for allegedly taking part in an illegal assembly that day as well.

Koo Sze-yiu is a veteran social activist

The force said the October 5 protest was not authorized under the Public Order Ordinance, hence the charge. The 23-year-old Wong was arrested along with 74-year-old Koo Sze-yiu, a veteran social activist who has was recently diagnosed with cancer and is in hospital, according to fellow activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

After Wong was released on bail, he told the media waiting outside the Central Police Station that the timing of his arrest and prosecution were politically motivated.

"The government wants to produce a chilling effect on Hong Kong people to frighten people away from the October 1 march," he said, referring to the planned National Day rally.

"But I can declare that I will continue to resist and we should also let the world know Hong Kong people will not easily surrender. They can't censor our commitment to fight for freedom. The chilling effect will not work and is not the way out -- they cannot force us to surrender."

Many opposition politicians, rights groups and the European Union weighed in on Wong's arrest.

Richardson says authorities want to silence Wong

Alan Leong Kah-kit, chairman of the Civic Party said: "It's so ridiculous for the government to arrest people over participating in an anti-mask law rally when everyone now in Hong Kong has to wear masks in public places [under coronavirus measures]."

Human Rights Watch said the Hong Kong government should stop prosecuting pro-democracy activists.

"The Hong Kong authorities keep dredging up dubious cases against Joshua Wong in a heavy-handed attempt to silence him," said Sophie Richardson, China director. "Hong Kong and Chinese authorities should realize that people in Hong Kong have responded to attacks on pro-democracy voices with ever greater resolve in calling for human rights."

Law, who is currently in exile in London, is concerned that while the authorities have not yet arrested Wong for breaching the national security law, it will only be a matter of time. 

"By arresting him and charging him once more, it sends a strong signal to Joshua that, basically telling Joshua that [he should] not do anything, otherwise we will arrest you under the national security law which is much more draconian and the maximum penalty will be life-long sentencing. I think that kind of intimidation is clear," Law told CBC Radio's current affairs show As It Happens.

Law with former HK governor Chris Patten

The Civil Human Rights Front had applied to the police to hold a rally on October 1 to protest against the mainland authorities for detaining 12 people who allegedly attempted to flee to Taiwan. However, the police rejected the application, citing social-distancing measures where a maximum of four people may gather in public, and that a large crowd could constitute a "grave threat" to public health and public safety.

The front has said it will appeal, and if rejected again, will think of other ways people can protest.

By the way there were only two new coronavirus cases today...

Yellow Back in Force

Chan Kin-man waves to well wishers as he leaves Pik Uk prison in Sai Kung

Amid the crisis of the coronavirus spreading to over 100 countries in the world, at least there was a bit of good news on the political front in Hong Kong today.

Occupy co-founder Chan Kin-man was released on good behaviour after serving 11 months of his 16-month sentence for inciting and conspiring with others to cause substantial obstruction in 2014.

A crowd of well-wishers, including Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, former Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit, and Democratic party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, waited for Chan, 61, to come out of Pik Uk Prison in Sai Kung at 9am.

Benny Tai (left) and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming flanked Chan

He rushed to his wife and they hugged before she gave him a bouquet of flowers. Chan then hugged Reverend Chu, who was suitably attired in a yellow sweater and wearing a yellow mask.

"I have been in jail for months, and time in jail must be hard. But I have no regrets because that's the price one has to pay for democracy," said Chan, adding he was happy to see his family and friends. They held a banner with Chinese calligraphy on it that read: "Noble spirits trot thousand mountains", that means with integrity, one could go a long way.

Interestingly the former sociology professor was holding a book by Alice Munro, Canadian and Nobel Prize-winning laureate in literature, whose short stories are set in small towns, and about the complexities life.

He believed the recent anti-government protests were a result of the 2014 disobedience movement, and accused the government of lacking openness, transparency and impartiality. Chan also said he was aware of young people becoming more radical over the past several months, but said the government was responsible for this.

Chan was jailed for his part in the 2014 Occupy movement

After Hong Kong has finished dealing with the coronavirus, protesters will be back on the streets again... will Chan & co be there actively participating or on the sidelines? Given how badly the economy has been battered by the protests and now the coronavirus, protesters may have new tactics on how to get their message across to the government.

The city can't afford to take much more of an economic hit, but at the same time it could be an opportune time to press the reset button in how Hong Kong's economy is run. Maybe protesters will take the lead?

A Fifth Wheel?

Leung Kwok-hung wants to give the Election Committee a choice - himself

As if four candidates vying to become Hong Kong's next chief executive weren't enough -- a pan-democrat has decided to throw his hat into the ring.

And it's not a mild mannered, decently dressed one -- it's Leung Kwok-hung or "Long Hair", who seems intent on stirring things up.

The League of Social Democrats lawmaker said today that he would only officially put in his bid to become the city's next leader if he managed to secure 37,790 votes from the public, or one percent of the city's registered voters through a referendum held by post-Occupy group Citizens United in Action.

"I used to hold a stance of not voting, not nominating and not running in any small-circle election, so [my decision to run] is indeed a very huge change in my position," he told the media today.

Alan Leong (left) and Albert Ho (right) had run for CE before

"But I think the pan-democratic camp should never vote for any of the four pro-establishment contenders who cannot represent our camp at all."

Hmmm good point. But why him?

While the pan-democrats have 326 of the 1,194 votes in the Election Committee, some are divided on what to do; some plan to vote for John Tsang Chun-wah, while others may submit a blank vote as a symbolic protest to the unfairness of the small-circle election.

Leung said voting for Tsang would in effect endorse his platform to start the electoral reform process and try to pass the controversial national security law, Article 23.

When Leung made his announcement to run, critics immediately branded him a hypocrite, as he previously protested attempts by other pan-democrats to join the race, Alan Leong Kah-kit in 2007 and Albert Ho Chun-yan in 2012.

In 2010 Audrey Eu (right) challenged Donald Tsang for CE

Leung admitted he was not the best candidate to run, saying he had tried to lobby Audrey Eu Yuet-mee twice to get into the race, but she refused. You might remember she had a lopsided race against Donald Tsang Yam-kuen for chief executive many moons ago...

It seems Leung didn't get much support today from old school pan-democrats, and instead from people like Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, Lau Siu-lai and Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

Leung is definitely not the right candidate for the pan-democrats, but no one else really is. Are the political rookies supporting him just to agitate the situation?

More Drama on the Hustings

Are you clear on who you're going to go vote for on Sunday?

This year's Legislative Council elections are already shaping up to be a wild ride -- and we haven't even voted yet.

First of all the Election Commission barred six people from becoming candidates because of their pro-independence views.

Then Ken Chow Wing-kan of the Liberal Party claimed a higher force was threatening him and people close to him -- a force so strong that it is even more powerful than the Liaison Office or the triads.

He was so scared he fled Hong Kong and doesn't plan to come back from the UK until after September 4.

Five pan-democrat candidates have suspended their campaigns

Now we have five pan-democrats pulled out of the race in the hopes of consolidating the pan-democratic vote.

The five are: Paul Zimmerman, Kalvin Ho Kai-ming, Sumly Chan Yuen-sum, Chu Chi-kin, and Suzanne Wu Sui-shan.

It seems so strange -- and desperate -- to do it three days before the vote -- why couldn't they have coordinated among themselves earlier? Surely they would have known that the sheer number of political parties was going to further dilute the vote especially for democratic-leaning parties, compared to one big pro-Beijing one (the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong).

And also, on Sunday, their names will still be on the ballot, so stopping their campaign isn't going to really help the situation at all, but further confuse people about who they want to vote for.

The chain of events started when Labour Party chairwoman Wu, contesting the Kowloon East constituency, said she wanted to set an example for her pro-democratic allies to "focus on the whole picture".

Zimmerman and fellow independent Chu, who beat DAB lawmaker Christopher Chung Shu-kun, stopped electioneering.

"I hope you will all consider your vote for democrats who are almost in," said Zimmerman in a statement, suggesting his supporters switch to Demosisto candidate Nathan Law Kwun-chung.

Then when it came to the functional constituency, where voters can also choose one candidate, two others dropped out, Civic Party's Chan, who funded his own campaign, as the party initially opposed his electioneering, announced he would stop campaigning after he had canvassed the Central area.

"[We] urge voters to utilize their wisdom and ensure that the pan-democrats retain three super seats," said party chairman Alan Leong Kah-kit.

Ho of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood also quit the race for a super seat.

The latest poll figures show the pan-democrats could only win 11 seats in the geographical constituencies, which is down from 18 in 2012, meaning they could lose their veto power.

Perhaps it's an indication the public is tired of the pan-democrats' filibustering, which caused a major backlog of bills from being passed in a shorter period of time.

From an observer point of view, this latest twist to the otherwise already exciting race, is making it hard for all of us to catch up, but also who do we vote for?

What else is going to happen from Friday evening to Sunday morning?!

Post-Mortem on Zhang Visit

Zhang Dejiang (left) gave a conciliatory stance  -- or was it an act?

For once, a student activist and a pro-Beijing veteran agreed on something -- that the four pan-democratic lawmakers who met with Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhang Dejiang on Wednesday evening before a banquet -- should not have asked for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to be removed from office.

Joshua Wong Chi-fung, secretary general of Demosisto, said he felt uncomfortable about asking for Leung to be removed.

Four pan-democratic lawmakers saw Zhang on Wednesday

"It seems they ignored the electoral system in Hong Kong," he said on RTHK this morning. "I think pan-democrats should have focused on Hong Kong people's demand for universal suffrage and self-determination... because it's the political system's fault, not just a person's."

Meanwhile, Cheng Yiu-tong said on TVB that he heard the pan-democrats "telling Zhang to stop Leung from seeking re-election" next March.

"They should not say that because they are popularly elected lawmakers... Re-election is also Leung's personal choice," said the local deputy to the NPC.

They both have a point.

 Wong says the four shoul have pushed for universal suffrage

However, Labour Party lawmaker Cyd Ho Sau-lan clarified on Commercial Radio what they talked about with Zhang.

"What we said was that Leung caused social divisions and it would be inappropriate for him to seek another term," she said. "We also mentioned that the problematic electoral system should be reformed."

Democratic Party's Emily Lau Wai-hing said she told Zhang it was inappropriate for Leung to govern Hong Kong.

Was this a constructive conversation? Or was Zhang just paying lip service to these lawmakers?

Knowing Zhang and how he handled the 2003 SARS crisis and had the gall to suggest that Guangdong (when he was governor) and Hong Kong cooperated closely on dealing with the outbreak.

Cheng says the four shouldn't have said Leung should go

That was hardly true, with China not even acknowledging at first there was a problem, resulting in 1,755 people infected, and 299 who died.

So do you trust Zhang with sincerely listening to people and willing to take action in the best interests of Hong Kong than the Party?

Zhang Dejiang to Try to Diffuse Tensions

Zhang Dejiang will be coming to Hong Kong this week

Hong Kong is getting ready for senior Chinese official Zhang Dejiang's three-day visit to the city starting on Tuesday.

First off -- there's going to be tons of security especially around the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong where he is staying -- some three times the number of police deployed for previous sitting premiers and presidents.

And then by the Legislative Council building, where workers have even glued down the bricks on the sidewalk to prevent anyone from trying to recreate the Mongkok riots that happened on Chinese New Year day.

Tight security will be in and around the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

There was also the awkward invitation of the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to meet with pan-democrats -- but only four of them, and only at a pre-banquet cocktail. Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing, Civic Party leader Alan Leong Wah-kit, Labour Party's Cyd Ho Sau-lan and health services lawmaker Joseph Lee Kok-long were the ones selected.

At first Ho refused to attend because she apparently felt a cocktail party was not the right venue to meet, and it seemed like the meeting was an afterthought.

However she has since changed her mind, because while it's not the best situation to meet Zhang, it's one of the few chances to actually speak to him directly.

And now we are hearing Beijing is trying to hire a global public relations firm to help give Zhang an image makeover to give the impression his visit isn't a kowtowing exercise.

The companies apparently in the running are Hill & Knowlton (who consulted Beijing with the 2008 Summer Olympics), Ketchum, Ogilvy Public Relations, FleishmanHillard and Edelman.

Pan-democrat Cyd Ho will meet with Zhang... briefly

A representative from FleishmanHillard suggested Zhang should be more open and explain how the "One Belt, One Road" initiative will benefit Hong Kong economically, and stress how China is committed to Hong Kong's Basic Law.

Nevertheless, some political PR consultants here think Zhang's visit is "almost mission impossible", to use PR stunts to make Zhang look more acceptable to Hong Kong people.

The former spin doctor for former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Andy Ho On-tat, says: "The tense relation between Hong Kong and Beijing has its roots in Beijing's decision [in 2014] to impose a restrictive framework for Hong Kong's political development.

"Unless Mr Zhang has something like the decision delivered on August 31 [2014] will be reversed, any public relations stunts, be it a walkabout in town, shaking hands with people, or hugging babies, are doomed to be useless."

Ouch. But true.

Peter Lam Yuk-wah, another political consultant was similarly pessimistic. "With the heavy deployment of police, it would defeat any attempt to soften Mr Zhang's image, or use crowds to show he is popular."

He has a point there, but seems like the Hong Kong government and police don't want to take any chances when it comes to Zhang's safety.

We wonder what the localists have planned for Zhang's visit, or do they even care to voice their displeasure? Tight security does not give the impression he is accessible, or even friendly.

If his keynote speech at the Belt and Road Summit is full of the usual phrases, it will only demonstrate his lack of understanding of Hong Kong and prove the State Council is clueless when it comes to dealing with the city and its frustrations, social, political and economic.

It's not easy when the emperor is far away...

John Tsang's "Localist" Budget

Financial Secretary John Tsang had some breaks for people this year

Today Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah got some rare praise today for his ninth budget that seemed to be more sympathetic with Hong Kong people who have been and will be struggling because of the sluggish economy.

In his speech that took an hour and 25 minutes to read out, Tsang began with giving his take on recent events in the city, describing the Mongkok riots as having turned Hong Kong into a "strange and alien place".

Will Cantonese films like Ten Years get more funding?

"I believe many people share my feelings towards the incident. Distressed and angry, I was perplexed as to why violence had flared in Hong Kong," he said.

"I was shocked that our city could have turned overnight into such a strange and alien place that I hardly recognized. I was troubled why the core values that we long cherished had been devoured by violence and hatred."

He added: "Acute social conflicts will add uncertainties to the already adverse economic environment."

Then he went onto the task at hand, saying Hong Kong's economy grew 2.4 percent last year, but only expects it to expand 1-2 percent this year. Some of his main budget relief measures include reducing salaries taxes by 75 percent to up to HK$20,000, while government rates will be waived up to HK$1,000 per quarter, so homeowners can save up to HK$4,000 a year.

There will be extra allowances for those with social security, old age allowance, or disability allowance, but no rent reductions for those in public housing -- an area that even pro-Beijing lawmakers were not pleased about.

The government will spend more for more beds in hospitals

Spending on health care has almost doubled compared to 10 years ago to HK$57 billion, making up 16.5 percent of the government's expenditure. Most of the money goes to more hospital beds, more operating theatres and specialist outpatient services.

Either the government is not catching up with what public hospitals need, or way more people are getting ill -- which one is it?

Why not spend on trying to encourage people to live healthier so that healthcare spending can go down? In the long run it's better for everyone. The government is trying to get people to eat less, but it doesn't seem to be working when a good amount of space in supermarkets and convenient stores sell junk food...

Tsang is encouraging more companies to invest in research and development, and noted there are 1,600 startups in the city. That doesn't mean all 1,600 of them will succeed, I hope he understands, and many of them want to get to Silicon Valley and not necessarily stay here...

Interestingly, following the runaway success of local indie film Ten Years, Tsang has earmarked HK$20 million into the Film Development Fund to subsidize expenses incurred by locally-produced Cantonese films in distribution and publicity work on the mainland. Funding per film will double to HK$500,000.

Does this mean he will fund more films like Ten Years? Or just sappy Canto romantic comedies or martial arts flicks?

Commerce Secretary Gregory So selling the food truck idea

He is still keen on his pet project of food trucks in the city. Instead of 12 food trucks in six tourist spots, Tsang says the spots will increase to 16 due to "wild interest". However he didn't mention anything about hawkers, which was the cause of the Mongkok riots on February 8...

Perhaps most telling was Tsang's take on the "One Road, One Belt" policy that his boss Leung Chun-ying mentioned 44 times in his policy speech. Instead the Financial Secretary only mentioned it four or five times according to Civic Party leader Allan Leong Kah-kit.

"That has already highlighted their differences. I guess that is also what Tsang wants to highlight," said the lawmaker.

So while Tsang didn't please everyone, most were relieved he was thinking of those who need a few breaks, though they are only short-term measures. He is waiting to see how this year pans out before seeing if more tax breaks are needed, but really, does anyone see a bright spot in Hong Kong's economy anytime soon?

The MTR Needs Money -- Again

An illustration of what the West Kowloon-Guangzhou station will look like

Earlier this week Hong Kong people found out that the MTR Corporation is HK$19 billion over budget in building the 26km high-speed link from West Kowloon to Guangzhou. It is also three years behind schedule.

And who's going to pay for this massive shortfall?

The Hong Kong government has pledged that we, the taxpayers will shore up the HK$19.6 billion, and the same amount will be eventually recouped through a special dividend the MTR will pay out.

The company pledges to pay HK$25.76 billion in dividends at the rate of HK$4.40 per share -- four times last year's payout -- in two stages.

What the site looks like now, three years behind schedule

And because the Hong Kong government owns 76 percent of MTR shares, it will get the HK$19.6 billion back, and the other shareholders will get HK$6.2 billion. Not bad if you're an MTR shareholder.

But what about the rest of us? Why should we be bailing out a publicly-listed company? It should be lending money from the banks instead like any other company. If we do shell out the money, do we get free rides on the train? Highly doubt it.

If the Legislative Council does not approve this extra funding request by the government, then the project will be further delayed. But that's fine -- do we really need this high-speed train when we can get to Guangzhou relatively comfortably in three hours currently?

Secretary for Transport and Housing Anthony Cheung Bing-leung apologized yesterday for the delay and the cost of the overruns, while others called for his resignation. One should check to see if he owns any MTR shares...

Why should taxpayers bail out the MTR for cost overruns?

In the meantime, there is also the contentious issue of having mainland immigration officers stationed in Hong Kong in order to speed up the process.

The Civic Party is proposing that these mainland immigration officers could check passengers while on the train, however Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung hinted last month that the officers would be based in Hong Kong, after his chat with officials in Beijing.

"If Hong Kong people allow mainland officers to be stationed in Hong Kong, it will set a bad and irrevocable precedent to the rule of law in Hong Kong," said party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit.

The Hong Kong government is probably going to lose this round. Public sentiment for this high-speed rail link and the MTR has plunged considerably. It will be eventually built, and mainland immigration officers will probably be stationed in the West Kowloon station, but resentment for the MTR and the government will continue to simmer...

Attempting to Change the Goalposts

Leung Chun-ying and Zhang Xiaoming at today's Basic Law symposium

If Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying needed a morale booster, he got a big one today.

Central People's Government liaison office chief Zhang Xiaoming said that the chief executive is above the executive, legislature and judiciary.

He made the remarks during a Basic Law symposium on Saturday, thus effectively ending any notion that the separation of powers concept was applicable to Hong Kong.

This naturally sparked fears over whether Beijing is redefining the function and status of the chief executive of Hong Kong, who is already selected by a 1,200-pro-Beijing committee.

Leong asks if Leung should be treated "like an emperor"

"The chief executive's dual responsibility [to both Hong Kong and Beijing] means he has a special legal position which is above the executive, legislative and judicial institutions," Zhang said during a 26-minute speech.

He also said Hong Kong is directly under the jurisdiction of the central government, and that the CE is not only head of the Hong Kong government but also the Hong Kong special administrative region. "He has responsibility towards both the Central People's Government and to Hong Kong," Zhang said.

He added: "Hong Kong is not a political system that exercises the separation of powers; not before the handover, not after the handover." Zhang said separation of powers "is usually established in sovereign states" and so it is "at best" only a reference for Hong Kong.

Basically Zhang is saying is that Leung and successive chief executives of Hong Kong are above the law. By the way how can he say there was no separation of powers before then handover when China did not have jurisdiction over Hong Kong?

Lee asks why interpretation of the Basic Law "keeps changing"

Civic Party leader Alan Leong Ka-kit interpreted these comments as Beijing sending a message that Leung should be put on a pedestal "like an emperor", and that legislative and judiciary systems cannot keep his power in check or keep him accountable.

Lee Cheuk-yan, chairman of the Labour Party said, "In the long run, how would Hong Kong people have faith in the Basic Law, whose meaning keeps changing?"

Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, a top pro-Beijing think tank, sought to play down Zhang's comments. "From the mainland's perspective, it is a separation of powers under the leadership of the executive. The three powers are not equally important and do not share the same status," he said.

"Under the Basic Law, the executive, legislature and judiciary have their own powers and duties. But the chief executive's position is supreme," Lau said.

Lau plays down what Zhang said... then what does he mean?

When one reads the Basic Law, the chief executive is "accountable to the Central People's Government and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law".

Article 64 states the executive branch "must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council of the region", while Article 85 says Hong Kong courts "shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. Members of the judiciary shall be immune from legal action in the performance of their judicial functions".

And finally with regards to the Legislative Council, it has the power to file a motion charging the chief executive with serious breach of law or dereliction of duty in a process that can lead to impeachment after an investigation by the judiciary.

So what is Zhang talking about then?

How can he re-interpret the Basic Law when the three institutions' functions are pretty clearly spelled out?

Is this Zhang's way of giving Leung a major ego boost, or tipping his hand for 2017? Or is he making these incorrect statements to rile up the pro-democracy camp to prove who's got the upper hand?

He should really check his facts before making such potentially explosive statements...