Anson decision praised
Chief Secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang's decision not to stand for chief executive would 'further enhance the very high esteem in which she is held', Governor Chris Patten said yesterday.
He said people would understand and sympathise with Mrs Chan's arguments, but declined to say whether she would have been the most suitable candidate.
'You know very well that while it is an interesting question, I certainly wouldn't answer it,' Mr Patten said, speaking at Kai Tak on his return from a trip to Britain.
Financial Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said the qualities Mrs Chan had described as being sought in a chief executive represented the thinking of many civil servants.
And Democratic Party vice-chairman Dr Yeung Sum said Mrs Chan's desire to continue to serve the post-97 government could strengthen the confidence of the civil service.
'She would have had to resign before she could enter the race.
'However, she wasn't sure whether she could get 50 selection committee members to nominate her. Surely this would cause uncertainty to the civil service,' he said.
'She is so highly supported by Hong Kong people her decision to stay is good news for them,' he said.
Lo Shiu-hing, lecturer in the department of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong, said Mrs Chan has made a wise decision.
'She is an official in the bureaucratic machinery. She may not have the political skills to tackle relations between China and Hong Kong,' he said.
