'Martin Liao Slip Proves Beijing Calls The Shots'

Opposition lawmakers were on Friday claiming there was clear proof of Beijing's interference in the SAR's affairs, after the pro-government camp's Martin Liao was caught on tape saying that the liaison office would be very angry if a Legco committee he was heading adjourned its meeting.

Liao's comment came during a quorum call by the opposition at an additional meeting on the national anthem bill scheduled by their rivals on Friday morning, which clashed with two other panel meetings.

As the opposition demanded a quorum call in protest, Liao who chairs the panel, was heard telling the DAB's Horace Cheung that while he personally doesn't mind the meeting being adjourned, Sai Wan – a euphemism for the liaison office – would be very angry about it.

The comment was picked up by a microphone as the meeting was being telecast live by Legco.

The opposition lawmakers, who heard about the comment later on, said this inadvertent admission by Liao clearly shows that Beijing is meddling in Hong Kong's affairs.

Pro-democracy camp convenor Claudia Mo said Liao's words show how much the Carrie Lam administration is relying on the liaison office to push through its controversial legislation.

"It wasn't a slip of the tongue. He was seriously speaking his mind. Except that he didn't realise that his mic was on," she said.

"The opposition always knew of such a scenario. Now we have the proof," Mo said.