Bridge builder: Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang assured lawmakers he was keen to improve the relationship between ExCo and LegCo.

Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang was on a build-bridging mission today, tackling tough questions from lawmakers in the Legislative Council - and extending the question-and-answer session from the usual one hour to 90 minutes.

He opened with a short address aimed at buoying confidence in Hong Kong's future and urging LegCo members to support the amendment to the Chief Executive Election Bill.

"We will enhance our capabilities in policy research formulation, coordination and implementation.We will rise to the significant challenges of Hong Kong with the public in the spirit of accommodation and inclusiveness," he said.

"We will let more people take part in public affairs. With an attitude of openness and sincerity we will try to secure trust and support for the government."

He added: "We must be agreed that the immediate task is for us to elect the new Chief Executive on July 10th, on time and legally.'

He acknowledged there were challenges ahead, but also "many rare opportunities". With the support of the Central People's Government, with the co-ooperation of the LegCo and with the concerted efforts of the people of Hong Kong, he said, he was sure "Hong Kong will be a decent place in which to live and work, a place that will do us proud."

Several LegCo members, including Democrat Andrew Cheng, expressed strong interest in setting a maximum number of working hours, citing the exceedingly long hours most Hong Kong people put in on the job.

Mr Tsang admitted it was a problem, but said, "I don't think this convention will be easily changed."

Sometimes the boss imposes the hours, sometimes workers volunteer to work overtime, he said. Before imposing a legislated solution, he said, a three-way consensus - among employers, employees and legislators - had to be reached.

"We have channels for this," he said. "When there is a consensus, it will be easier for the Government. We pay a price if we do this by legislative means, and maybe society wants us to pay this price. But we must reach a consensus first."

When a lawmaker voiced concern that the National People's Congress Standing Committee had made a third interpretation of the Basic Law - this time, concerning the length of the new Chief Executive's term of office - Mr Tsang replied that it had been necessary to ensure that Hong Kong has the election on July 10.

While he expressed confidence that Mainland officials are aware of the sensitivity of the issue of interpretation of the Basic Law, as a responsible government, "we won't say we will never seek an interpretation again."

It would be done only when it is "necessary", he stressed, noting that our law has a history of less than eight years, so we have had inadequate experience on which to base interpretations.

Liberal lawmaker James Tien highlighted that the 2005 Policy Address made reference to improving the relationship between the Executive and Legislative Councils. As Acting Chief Executive, how would Mr Tsang accomplish this?

"I try to seek opportunities to meet LegCo members. I try to be here on Wednesday when you have council meetings, when there is an opporunity to explain policies. I also meet LegCo members in private, face-to-face," he said.

"It is a long-term undertaking," he added. "I'm sure the relationship is crucial in our governance. I'm sure myself and my colleagues will work hardest in the days to come. We will look for ways to improve the relationship. I welcome suggestions from the legislators. The lawmakers bring us views from the members of the public. In the days to come we will put on our thinking cap.

"I urge political parties to put on their thinking caps, too. To get the economy right, to improve the lives of Hong Kong people - wrangling will not help."

Mr Tsang also promised to stay on for an hour and a half, instead of the usual hour, to accommodate more questions from members. "If you would like to meet the Chief Executive more than four times a year and for more than one hour, I'm happy to pass on your message to the new Chief Executive when he's elected on July 10."

He said every word he utters "comes from the bottom of my heart", and that sometimes there are differences of opinion.

In reply to a query on consitutional development, and specifically, the introduction of universal suffrage, Mr Tsang reiterated that any decision regarding the arrangements for electing the Chief Executive in 2007 and the LegCo in 2008 needed the agreement of three parties: the public, LegCo and the Central People's Government.

"It must be built on mutual trust. We must have confidence: Let's hope we can understand China and let's hope the country can understand our feelings," he said.

He hoped members would take part in the discussion constructively and positively.

"I would treasure your views, but if you continue to say that we insist on universal suffrage in 2007-08, there would be no basis for discussion - it would not be acceptable to the Central People's Government."

Instead, he asked, why not sit down and work out a model that is acceptable to all?

In reply to Democratic Party Chairman Lee Wing Tat - who has announced his candidacy for the Chief Executive's post - Mr Tsang said he was too busy concentrating on the important job at hand, as Acting Chief Executive, to consider whether or not he himself would run for the election.

"I must discharge my duty and make sure the Chief Executive's election comes about on July 10. My personal wish, this must come after my work. I have to make sure that I would be concentrating on the job. I'm grateful to the people of HK and my colleagues for their trust in me. I don't have time to think about these issues for the time being," he said.