Legco president-in-waiting, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong grandee Jasper Tsang Yok-shing, was asked by a radio phone-in caller yesterday: "Are you a member of the Chinese Communist Party?"

Simple enough question right? Wrong.

Tsang, who is up against the Democratic Party's Fred Li Wah-ming in the race for council president, refused to answer.

"Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung asked him the same question in Legco on Monday but, again, Tsang studiously avoided a straight answer.

The radio caller had to make do with what was as close to a "yes" as we think he is likely to get.

"Hong Kong people have a negative impression on Chinese communism. I'd better not bring it into Legco nor start a discussion on it," Tsang said.