HONG KONG, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The inclusion of more people into Hong Kong's Executive Council is intended to create a better government but is still met with skepticism.
Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the decision Friday as he introduced the eight new members, bringing the total council, known as Exco, to 29, The Straits Times reports.
Only 14 of the members are full-time, official members but Tsang said the inclusion of more voices will help him make better, more inclusive policy.
All but one of the new members are from the business world, inciting concerns of business-government collusion.
Professor Anthony Cheung is the former vice-chairman of the pro-democracy Democratic Party but has been out of politics since a failed bid to the National People's Congress, China's parliament, in 1997.
All of the new members are male, the youngest being the 52-year-old Cheung.
Despite the new additions, critics want a more open Exco. Right now members aren't allowed to go public with what is discussed during meetings.
