Opposition Lawmakers Skip Legco Lunch With CE

Opposition lawmakers didn't show up for a luncheon at Legco on Monday which was attended by Chief Executive Carrie Lam and members of her cabinet.

Thirty-six pro-establishment legislators did join the spring lunch, along with members of the Executive Council.

Speaking at the event, Legco president Andrew Leung said he hopes the administration and the legislature will respect each other and perform their duties in a friendly atmosphere in the new year.

He also said he hopes lawmakers will work together harmoniously, adding that it was unfortunate that some councillors had shunned the lunch.

Hong Kong First lawmaker Claudia Mo, who is the current convenor of the pro-democracy camp, told RTHK that she was completely "put off" by Lam and her administration and had no interest in sitting down for a meal with her.

Mo said the camp is particularly unhappy about changes brought in this month to the eligibility requirements for elderly CSSA benefits, and proposed amendments to legislation that will enable Hong Kong to surrender crime suspects to jurisdictions with which it has no extradition treaties, including the mainland.

Legco president Andrew Leung who hosted the lunch described the opposition's decision as unfortunate while DAB chairwoman Starry Lee said the lawmakers were failing to perform their role as a communicator between their voters and government officials.

All pro-democracy lawmakers are also expected to snub a spring reception hosted by the Director of the Beijing Liaison Office, Wang Zhimin, on Tuesday.