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Bow-tie wearing technocrat takes over Hong Kong
2005-06-21
HONG KONG - China tried having a patriotic tycoon run the nation's richest city. But the Communist leadership has now given Hong Kong's top job to a completely different type: a veteran civil servant and devout Roman Catholic who wears colorful bow ties and proudly holds the honor of British knighthood.Donald Tsang's promotion to Hong Kong's leader, or chief executive, made him a classic political survivor. Many thought his career would peak eight years ago when this former British colony was handed back to China with the promise it would enjoy a wide-degree of autonomy. In those final days of colonial rule Prince Charles tapped Tsang's shoulders with a sword and made him a knight - a reward for his three decades of service as a loyal civil servant. Tsang's achievements included becoming the first ethnic Chinese to be appointed as financial secretary. Many thought Tsang's knighthood would be a curse in the new China system. Beijing has long been a sworn enemy of imperialism and all its trappings. Tsang's willingness to accept the British honor was read as a sign that he was willingly sabotaging his own career. But he kept serving the administration and going to church, though his Communist masters in Beijing were atheists. On Tuesday Tsang, the No. 2 ranking leader, became Hong Kong's leader, replacing Tung Chee-hwa, a shipping tycoon who had little political experience. Tung resigned three months ago citing failing health, but many believe Beijing pushed him out because he was unable to improve his dismal public approval ratings. Tung was widely viewed to be a disaster during his eight years as chief executive. A hard worker, he was nicknamed ``7-11'' because he got to work at 7 a.m. and clocked out at 11 p.m. But he struggled to connect with the common people, and many believed he was too cozy with the business elite. Under his tenure, there were massive street protests demanding the right to directly elect leaders. In selecting Tsang, the Communist leadership placed less stress on finding someone with a pro-Beijing, patriotic background, opting instead for someone with solid administrative experience who is more popular with the public. On Tuesday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced Tsang got the job after winning most of the votes from an 800-member committee that picks Hong Kong's leaders. ``I believe that Mr. Donald Tsang and Hong Kong's government will definitely be able to lead all of Hong Kong's people in overcoming all difficulties. He'll advance Hong Kong's prosperity and stability,'' Wen said. Few expect Tsang to push for full democracy. He has a reputation for being loyal to his superiors and carrying out orders. He's only serving out the last two years of Tung's term, so he'll be under Beijing's strict political probation. In recent months, he's pointed out how close he is to the average Hong Konger. A policeman's son, he worked briefly as a pharmaceutical salesman before entering the government. He never went to college for an undergraduate degree, though he did finish a one-year master's degree in public administration at Harvard University. ``The many Hong Kong stories that I heard have served to remind me of one important truth: that most people's concerns are honestly simple - the rough and tumble of everyday life,'' he said Tuesday. AP
China's Hu pledges support for HK democracy (2005-12-28)New Hong Kong Leader Sworn in In Beijing (2005-06-23)Bow-tie wearing technocrat takes over Hong Kong (2005-06-21)Tsang launches Hong Kong leadership bid (2005-06-01)China approves resignation of HK's Tsang (2005-06-01)
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