Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong (
Zeng, who is in the former British colony on a three-day visit to preside over the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, said on Saturday he was aware that his "Hong Kong compatriots wanted (him) to listen", the official Xinhua news agency reported.
On his arrival in Hong Kong on Saturday, Zeng spoke with reporters in their native Cantonese dialect before heading into talks with the territory's leader Donald Tsang (
Zeng praised Tsang for fostering a more optimistic outlook in Hong Kong since taking over the top job two months ago, Xinhua reported.
He also said Hong Kong was enjoying greater stability, an improved economy and prosperity in all sectors during a meeting with Tsang on Saturday, the report said.
It said Zeng "hoped the Hong Kong government would continue to work hard, properly handle various issues of common concern, and further improve the prosperity and stability Hong Kong is now enjoying."
Zeng, who told reporters at the start of his visit Saturday "my heart is always with Hong Kong," continued to woo Hong Kongers yesterday, stopping at a home for the elderly and visiting a family of four in their home.
The leader also had breakfast with tycoon Li Ka-shing (
Zeng was to meet Hong Kong lawmakers, including the pro-democracy opposition, at a banquet in his honor yesterday evening, and officiate at the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland today.
Pro-democracy lawmakers have expressed disappointment that they had little opportunity to discuss moves toward democracy with Zeng.
School bullies in Singapore are to face caning under new guidelines, but the education minister on Tuesday said it would be meted out only as a last resort with strict safeguards. Human rights groups regularly criticize Singapore for the use of corporal punishment, which remains part of the school and criminal justice systems, but authorities have defended it as a deterrent to crime and serious misconduct. Caning was discussed in the parliament after legislators asked how it would be used in relation to bullying in schools. The debate followed stricter guidelines on serious student misconduct, including bullying, unveiled by the Singaporean Ministry of
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