New Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (
Speaking a day after his return from Beijing where he was sworn in Friday as chief executive, Tsang gave a rousing speech and expounded on his belief that Hong Kong was on the road to better fortunes.
In reference to the city's current economic revival, Tsang, 60, said: "Shakespeare once said `There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.'"
"I believe that there is such a tide now, running strongly in Hong Kong's favor. I believe that the people of Hong Kong are ready to march on to greatness," Tsang said.
He said: "As New York is to North America and London is to Europe, we must firmly anchor Hong Kong's position as the premier business and financial hub of the Asia-Pacific region.
"These are no easy tasks, but we will not shirk them. My strength, inspiration, and faith in our ability to rise to challenges came from the `can do' spirit of the people of Hong Kong," he said.
Tsang, nominated unopposed by an 800-member, pro-China election committee, said he would "move at full steam" to deliver on the promises of his election campaign.
"My action plan for the next two years will focus on better governance, greater social harmony and stronger economic performance," he said.
Tsang said he had already submitted his nomination for the post of Chief Secretary for Administration, his deputy -- widely expected to be former financial services secretary Rafael Hui (許仕仁) -- to Beijing.
However, he refused to confirm that he had nominated Hui, saying only that he expected his deputy to be patriotic and capable of handling the pressure of the job.
Tsang said he would immediately begin restructuring the government and its team of advisers, seeking to "capture the insight and wisdom of the community as a whole for the betterment of Hong Kong."
He added: "I will meet with legislators from different political groups and independents as soon as possible to listen to their views and suggestions about my future policy blueprint."
Tsang, who will serve until 2007, replaces Tung Chee-hwa (
Tung stepped down two years early in March, citing ill health, but is widely believed to have been edged out of his job by China's leaders, who were exasperated at his bumbling governance.
Although loyal to Beijing, Tung was hugely unpopular and his last years in office saw massive anti-government and pro-democracy marches in the streets of Hong Kong in 2003 and again last year.
China hopes that Tsang, a popular figure considered moderate by Hong Kong people, will defuse social tension and refocus minds on the city's resurgent economy.
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