In the real world, Albert Cheng, co-operation is key (27 September 2006)

I write to correct the fallacies in legislator Albert Cheng King-hon's opinion-page article "A Liberal power grab denied" (September 23). Not only has he misrepresented the Liberal Party's recent visit to Beijing, his analysis of the problems relating to governance is based on curious and illogical arguments.

We must make it absolutely clear that all our three meetings in Beijing were amiable and positive. To suggest otherwise is simply not true. In particular, we are amazed at Mr Cheng's inventive statement: "In meetings with senior mainland officials, [the Liberal Party] tried to seek favours in exchange for supporting the re-election of Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen."

We did not discuss his re-election in any meeting. In any case, the initiative for the visit did not come from us. We were delighted to accept the invitation from Beijing to exchange views.

I have often explained what I see as a model for more effective governance for Hong Kong. As Mr Cheng pointed out, our constitutional system is not perfect, and it is difficult for the chief executive to gain enough votes to pass policies because "he does not have a single vote in the Legislative Council".

However, Mr Cheng is wrong to say that former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa formed a ruling coalition. The Executive Council members Mr Tung appointed, myself included, served in their personal capacities, and were bound by the rules of collective responsibility and confidentiality. There was no structure to ensure that the political parties to which we belonged were party to the policy-making process. They were therefore under no obligation to support policies presented to the Legislative Council.

This problem still exists and will remain - unless the government accepts political parties willing to work with it as allies and partners.

The problem is exacerbated by a diehard opposition that persistently undermines the public's trust in the administration by voting against controversial government proposals, leaving little room for compromise and rational discussion.

Mr Cheng states the obvious when he writes that "the development of party politics would be a solution to [our] problems {hellip} [provided] the Basic Law were amended". But we live in the real world - a world where, because Mr Cheng and his allies chose to vote against the government's proposed package last December, we could not move one small step up the democratic ladder.

As a dedicated opponent, it would be hard for Mr Cheng to understand the Liberal Party's determination to be constructive by proposing solutions despite our many constraints.