In Hong Kong's biggest political shuffle since returning to China in 1997, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (
Donald Tsang (
PHOTO: AP
Tung picked Antony Leung (梁錦松), the Asia-Pacific chairman at investment bank JP Morgan Chase & Co, as the next financial secretary.
Both candidates required approval by Beijing, which made the first official announcement of the appointments before Tung appeared with Tsang and Leung in a news conference.
Chan is quitting in April after serious disagreements with Tung -- in a departure that is hugely symbolic for Hong Kong, stirring fears that the capitalist haven will move closer in style to China.
Chan was appointed by the last British colonial governor, Chris Patten, and has been seen as the continuity of Western-style rule of law here after the handover.
Tsang acknowledged that "Anson Chan is a hard act to follow" but he vowed to defend Hong Kong's freedoms.
Critics have warned he might be too much of a yes-man to Tung and bend his principles more than Chan would to keep his superiors happy.
Tsang disputed such contentions although he said "we are not actual genetic clones of each other" so his approach will not mirror Chan's.
Pro-Beijing forces have welcomed Tsang's appointment and predicted he can work in greater harmony with Tung, a former shipping tycoon who has become highly unpopular as government leader.
Tsang said he has worked in the past with Tung and not compromised any principles even "when we would not see eye to eye."
"I have never conceded on the major cornerstones I've mentioned -- that is, freedom in Hong Kong, human rights in Hong Kong, rule of law here -- and I don't believe in the future I'll ever have to compromise on these guiding principles," Tsang said.
"And of course, Tung wouldn't want me to make such a compromise," he added.
Analysts said Tsang inherits a difficult situation, becoming the last career civil servant in the top levels of Hong Kong government at a time when the political environment is becoming more volatile.
Hong Kong is under pressure to clamp down on the Falun Gong meditation sect, which is outlawed in China and subjected to a fierce crackdown.
Although it remains legal here, Beijing and its allies are furious at ongoing Falun Gong campaigns in Hong Kong attacking Beijing's crackdown of the group.
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