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Lawmaker chides Beijing for favoring acting Hong Kong leader
2005-04-03
HONG KONG - Beijing's government is forgetting China's history by backing Hong Kong's acting leader, who began his career under British colonial rule, a lawmaker said Sunday.Donald Tsang took office after his former boss Tung Chee-hwa quit last month, citing health reasons. An 800-member committee loyal to China is due to pick a replacement on July 10, but it's widely believed Beijing wants Tsang to stay on as Hong Kong's chief executive. Beijing's apparent endorsement of Tsang is surprising. Tsang, a devout Roman Catholic, was a longtime official in Hong Kong's British colonial government and was knighted for his service. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Legislator Choy So-yuk, who usually voices pro-Beijing sentiments, chided the central government for its stance. ``Over the decades, Donald was a staunch supporter of British rule ... He was viewed by some in the pro-Beijing camp as arrogant and disrespecting of the patriotic values they cherished and treasured over the decades,'' Choy said in a speech broadcast on government-owned radio RTHK. But ``China forgives and forgets,'' she said. Some political analysts say China still has doubts about Tsang's loyalty but now favors a proven bureaucrat over tycoons with close ties to China such as Tung. Tung is seen as having bungled his tenure, which was marred by economic recession and huge pro-democracy protests. Choy said Tsang's ascent was due to luck because Tung's resignation coincided with a shift in China's thinking on Hong Kong. If Tung resigned a year ago, Beijing would have preferred financial secretary Henry Tang, who was then considered a front-runner for the top job, she said. Tang, a former textile tycoon with close ties with Beijing, said last month he won't be running for the top job. ``Donald Tsang's supreme good luck guides him through impossibilities, against all odds,'' Choy said. AP
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