Chief Executive (CE) Tung Chee-hwa would be pleased to set into motion communications between the "pro-democracy" camp in Hong Kong and the central government, the CE Office said Thursday night.

The office said this after Tung met with Confederation of Trade Unions legislator Lau Chin-shek Thursday.

Emerging from Tung's office, Lau said the chief executive was willing to help democrats establish communications with the central government and to help them apply for home-visit permits so that they could go to the mainland without pre-conditions.

Tung and Lau have exchanged their views frankly, a spokesperson for the CE Office said.

"The chief executive shares the view that communication would help improve understanding and bring about an amicable social atmosphere. He is pleased to set into motion the work in this regard."

The spokesperson, however, pointed out that effective communication would have to rest on "sincerity" and it would be unrealistic to expect quick results.

The meeting between Tung and Lau lasted about 30 minutes. Today, Tung will also meet members of the Article 45 Concern Group and the Democratic Party separately.

Lau, a core member of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, said he had a "frank" discussion with Tung during which he had told the CE it would be good for all if the central government could have dialogue with the "pro-democracy" camp.

He also asked Tung to help the democrats secure home-visit permits so that they could return to the mainland to see for themselves the changes that China had gone through over the years.

"Tung said he would facilitate. He also said he was positive towards these matters and would take it forward," Lau said.

The meeting was applauded by many Thursday, regardless of their political affiliation.

Tsang Yok-sing, ex-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, said it was a good development for the central government to communicate with people holding different opinions.

He also advised the democrats not to insist on the "return power to the people" slogan.

Liberal Party Chairman James Tien also agreed that communication could help ease differences and misunderstanding. Communication would become easier if home-entry permits were issued first to democrats with milder views, he added.

Cheung Man-kwong, of the Democratic Party, also welcomed the outcome.

(China Daily HK Edition June 18, 2004)