Cash Handout Move Sets A Bad Precedent: Ronny Tong

Executive councillor Ronny Tong said on Monday that he believes the government's U-turn on cash handouts may set a bad precedent for the future.

Tong said he is not criticising the administration's current plan to give up to HK$4,000 to 2.8 million people, but said he is against the idea of cash handouts in general.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced the plan after his budget was criticised by political parties across the spectrum, who said his budget failed to help a large section of needy families.

"Throughout my years in Legco, I have always taken the viewpoint that cash handouts are not very constructive, it doesn't achieve anything," Tong said.

"If we have a sizeable surplus, I would like to see that put to good use, investing in the future of Hong Kong ... creating more permanent assistance to the people of Hong Kong."

He also warned that succumbing to public pressure in this way may lead to demands for cash handouts every time there is a surplus.

Tong, who heads the think tank, Path of Democracy, also said many sensitive issues were discussed during his trip to Beijing last week, where he had a private meeting with Zhang Xiaoming, director of the State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

The executive councillor said they discussed issues surrounding the "One Country, Two Systems" policy, election eligibility, and judicial independence. He said there were disagreements, but said that was just normal.

Tong said they did not discuss the issue of "one-party rule", but told RTHK's Janice Wong that he personally believes that it should not be necessary for people to pledge allegiance to the Communist Party in order to run in Hong Kong elections.