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China approves troubleshooter for HK deputy post
2005-06-30
BEIJING - China on Thursday approved the appointment of veteran troubleshooter Rafael Hui as Hong Kong's deputy leader after the territory's new chief executive nominated his long-time friend to be his second in command.As chief secretary, Hui, 57, will deputise for leader Donald Tsang, assist in the day-to-day implementation of government policies and will be the senior member in the Executive Council, or cabinet, the highest policy-making body in the territory. The chief secretary is also in charge of Hong Kong's powerful civil service. Tsang was sworn-in as chief executive in Beijing last Friday, replacing the unpopular Tung Chee-hwa, who quit in March citing poor health. Last Saturday, Tsang submitted Hui's name for the post of chief secretary for formal approval by Beijing, which took back this former British colony in 1997. Hui, a racehorse owner and classical music fan, is a former top civil servant who was chief strategist of Tsang's recent election campaign. Friends and former colleagues describe him as tough and politically astute. One of Tsang's first challenges will be to balance the wishes of his bosses in Beijing with those of democracy-hungry residents. Tsang has said he would enlarge the cabinet to include some lawmakers, community leaders and professionals, but has stopped short of saying whether he would include those pushing for full democracy in Hong Kong. High unemployment, worsening air pollution and poverty are other pressing policy concerns. Beijing is only allowing Tsang to serve out the remaining two years of Tung's term, and political analysts say he must perform well to be considered for a full, five-year term when the city's top job opens again in 2007. Hui joined the government in 1970 and steadily rose through the ranks. He was secretary for financial services before leaving in 2000 to become managing director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority, which runs Hong Kong's major retirement fund. Hui worked closely with Tsang and Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief Joseph Yam when the trio steered Hong Kong through Asia's 1997/98 financial crisis and successfully fended off speculators trying to attack the Hong Kong dollar. Reuters
Low turnout expected for HK's annual pro-democracy march (2005-06-30)Rafael Hui Named Hong Kong's No. 2 Leader (2005-06-30)China approves troubleshooter for HK deputy post (2005-06-30)Hong Kong Leader Seeks to Rebuild Trust (2005-06-25)Tsang sworn in as Hong Kong's new leader (2005-06-24)
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