Hong Kong government officials approached Democratic Party about Leung Chun-ying attending its anniversary reception, says government source
Party is sticking to its position not to invite the chief executive, which prompted a government ban on political appointees attending the event
Government officials approached the Democratic Party recently to indicate Leung Chun-ying’s willingness to attend its anniversary reception, but the party is sticking to its long-standing position of not inviting the chief executive.
A government source said senior officials had sounded out the party a few weeks ago about the chief executive’s possible attendance at the reception on February 25.
READ MORE: Hong Kong government appointees to boycott Democratic Party anniversary dinner for second year running
“We can discuss the detailed arrangements, such as how long the chief executive would stay at the event, if the Democratic Party was willing to invite him,” the source said.
It was the first time Leung had indicated a willingness to attend the party’s anniversary reception.
The South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday that the government had banned ministers and political assistants from attending the reception after it maintained its policy of not inviting the chief executive.
“The Democratic Party stuck to its guns. We have no choice but to make the call in public,” the source said.
Leung said on Monday that he would like to attend the reception and had reserved time in his diary.
