I wonder why so many HK reporters, editors and commentors did not critically think about the appointment of Mr Wong Yan-lung as the Secretary of Justice(SJ). Is Mr wong the best person to fill the post provided that Mr Donald Tsang, as he told the media, did not approach another candidate ? Does Mr Wong has enough experience and knowledge to handle his work and manage the Legal Deparmtment? What are his outstanding achievements in the legal profession?

My quick conclusion is that Mr Tsang's decision to appointment Mr Wong is for his own benefits. He wants to demonstrate that he possesses the breadth of mind that a politician should have, and he still gains confidience of the Central governemnt.

If Mr Tsang's decision is interpretated using the individual values and beliefs approach, when another Principle Officiers leaves the government, Mr Tsang will very likely pick someone from the grassroot again.

Mr Wong is 41, has practiced for 18 years. He has never been elected as chairperson or vice-chairperson of the Bar Association. Everyone knows he is lack of the kind of seniority in the profession; he has relative limited experience in litigation.

Mr Tsang said he was "very much impressed by his[Mr Wong] commitment to the rule of law, to the legal profession and to Hong Kong.” He believed that Mr Wong, with his patriotism, gentle and upright disposition as well as professional expertise and reputation, would competently fulfil the role of Secretary for Justice.

How many barristers in HK satisfy these criteria? Many, many better than Mr Wong. To name one is Alan Leong Kah-kit, SC, Legislative councilor; I think he is better than Mr Wong. I had an personal interview with him two years ago, he is very very very smart.

Ronny Tom Ka-wa, SC, Legislative councilor, said quite frankly when he was asked to comment on Mr Wong's appointment. Ronny worried about Mr Wong could not managed the Legal Department effectively, sepecially the senior counsels in the Department.

One more point I want to mention here is Mr Andrew Kwok-nang Li's, the Chief Justice, statement to the outgoing SJ, Ms Elsie Leung. He said: "The last eight years have been formative and momentous years for the HKSAR under 'one country, two systems'. During this period, Ms Leung has served with selfless dedication. Her important contribution to the rule of law and her great respect for the independence of the Judiciary should be fully recognised."

I think Mr Li's remarks on Ms Leung's contribution to the rule of law is not just being polite.

Everyone knows Ms Leung made a mistake to not to charge Ally Aw Sian, the then Hongkong Standard and Sunday Standard proprietor, in 1998. The question of seeking the NPC to interpretate the Basic Law during the right of abode issue is debatable. I always think that we cannot handle legal issues in HK without considering the legal sysytem of Mainland China, that is, put HK's common law system in Chinese legal system perspectives.