Tsang gets Beijing's nod as new HK chief
By Tonny Chan (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-06-21 13:26

Premier Wen Jiabao appointed Donald Tsang as chief executive (CE) of Hong Kong yesterday after a plenary session of the State Council praised Tsang's enormous efforts to uphold the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law.

Tsang will leave for Beijing tomorrow, and take the oath of office in front of Wen the next day. He will return to Hong Kong the same day after receiving the appointment document from the premier.

Hong Kong's new leader Donald Tsang speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong June 16. [newsphoto]

In Hong Kong, Tsang thanked the central government for giving him the chance to serve the people. "I know this is a huge undertaking. During the remainder of the second term, as CE I will do the job well in order not to let down the central government," he said.

Tsang also thanked Election Committee (EC) members and the general public for their "warm endorsement" of his candidacy.

Announcing Tsang's appointment in Beijing, Wen said the Hong Kong CE by-election had attracted wide attention not only in the SAR, but also on the mainland and throughout the world.

The State Council plenary meeting reviewed two reports, one on the final result of the CE bypoll submitted by the SAR government and the other by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office on the election process.

Wen said the by-election had embodied the principles of "openness, fairness and justice" in accordance with the Basic Law and the SAR's Chief Executive Election Ordinance.

Expressing confidence in Tsang's ability to lead the SAR, Wen said he had worked in the government for more than 30 years and was familiar with the working of various sectors and the operations of the Hong Kong government.

After Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Tsang had been the financial secretary and the chief secretary of administration during which he had done "an enormous amount of work" in safeguarding the "one country, two systems" principle and the Basic Law and preserving Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, the premier said.

Tsang exhibited relatively strong capabilities in administrative management, he said. "The fact that Tsang was nominated and supported by 714 EC members and won the by-election shows he enjoys extensive recognition and support from various walks of life in Hong Kong," Wen said. The premier believed Tsang and his administration could lead the Hong Kong people through all difficulties to make the SAR more prosperous and stable and achieve greater goals in its social endeavours.

Wen signed a decree as soon as the State Council approved it, giving the appointment immediate effect. Tsang's term will last till the end of June 2007.

Tsang was elected last week as the only valid candidate for the 2005 CE by-election. Tung Chee-hwa's resignation as CE in March on health grounds had necessitated the bypoll.

In Hong Kong, major State organizations congratulated Tsang for becoming the new CE.

Pledging full support for him and his administration in their efforts to govern according to the law and press for "one country, two systems," the central government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong told Tsang in a letter: "Under your leadership, the SAR government can surely enhance the administration and build a more prosperous, stable and harmonious Hong Kong."

(China Daily 06/22/2005 page1)

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