For the first time since the handover in 1997, the dinner at the Legco complex at Tamar on Monday was only attended by pro-establishment lawmakers and officials. All 41 were present, while the sole non-pro-establishment lawmaker Pierre Chan Pui-yin for the medical sector was absent.

Chie Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, still in a cast on her right arm following her elbow fracture from last Monday, was also among the attendees, and lawmakers presented their DIY get-well-soon card before the dinner.

Leung said in his speech that this Legco term -- to end this week -- has been a “spiced” roller-coaster ride and was much different from previous ones.

He said it was “bitter” because the parliament has seen many unprecedented challenges, with meetings postponed due to social unrest and Covid-19 outbreaks.

The administration-legislature relationship was “spicy” before the pan-democratic lawmakers’ en masse resignation last year. During the social unrest of 2019, Lam had to deliver her policy address at the Government House, instead of reading it to lawmakers at the chamber.

Leung said it has also been “sour” as it was the most chaotic Legco term with lawmakers resigning and being disqualified in the middle of their tenure, as well as “salty” as officials and lawmakers were often the center of criticisms.

But the last five years were also “sweet” as lawmakers managed to pass various livelihood and economic-friendly bills and funds despite the hardships, he said.