The neutral integrity and impartiality of civil servants must be preserved for the civil service system of Hong Kong to function effectively, the Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan, told the business community at an intercham luncheon held on July 5.

She pointed out that being politically neutral did not mean that civil servants were politically naive.

"We adopt a logical, fact-based, problem-solving approach. We certainly take into account public opinion and the views of all interested parties. Indeed that weighs heavily on our deliberations," she said.

Addressing the argument for a more accountable ministerial system for Hong Kong, Mrs Chan said people should consider whether they are talking about a ministerial system based on the Westminster parliamentary model, the U.S. system, or a hybrid of the two.

"I have not yet heard how such a creature might be created and, more importantly, how it would work. I raise these questions not to pour cold water on the idea of a ministerial-type system. I do so to make the point that there is no magic wand we can wave to produce an instant answer," she said.

Mrs Chan stressed that whatever system evolved in Hong Kong, there was a need to preserve the political neutrality of the civil service.

"It certainly makes no sense to tamper with the current system if we have nothing to put in its place. That will only produce uncertainty and instability within the civil service and weaken government as a whole," she said.

Commenting on the tensions and frustrations between the executive and the legislature, Mrs Chan said that both sides should do much more to adopt a more open-minded approach to cooperation to improve the situation.

A new legislature would be returned in September. That might be the time to begin the debate on the way forward for democratic development. It could also be the time to properly address some of the complex questions the community would need to answer as it approached the Basic Law trigger point of 2007, when the opportunity of a consensus on universal suffrage presented itself, she said.