Leung defends Tsang over airport post 'interference'
The city's next leader yesterday defended incumbent Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's decision to consult him on extending the term of the Airport Authority chief, rejecting claims of interference.
The statutory body that manages Chek Lap Kok airport announced yesterday that the term of chief executive officer Stanley Hui Hon-chung (pictured) would be extended by two years from February 1.
Hui nominated Henry Tang Ying-yen to run in this year's chief executive election, a race that was eventually won by Leung Chun-ying
Leung admitted that Tsang consulted him on renewing Hui's contract but rejected media reports that accused him of interfering in the re-appointment.
'Stanley Hui Hon-chung's new term begins next year, so it was totally reasonable for the incumbent chief executive [Donald Tsang Yam-kuen] to have consulted me before making the reappointment,' Leung said.
He added that should he need to make such appointments when his term was about to end, he would also seek the chief executive-elect's advice. Leung's transition office also described as 'inaccurate' an Apple Daily report about market rumours that Marvin Cheung Kin-tung may not complete his three-year term as Airport Authority chairman, which is due to end in May 2014.
A spokesman for Leung's office said Leung had never considered cutting Cheung's term short and the report was 'totally groundless'.
Hui, 61, was appointed the authority's chief executive officer in February 2007, and his term was extended for three years from February 2010. The latest extension was unanimously endorsed by the board and approved by Tsang.
'I am honoured to continue serving as the CEO of the Airport Authority,' Hui said.
'I look forward to seeing Hong Kong International Airport continue its development as an international and regional aviation hub and contribute to Hong Kong's reputation as Asia's World City.'
Praising Hui's past performance, authority chairman Cheung said: 'This is a critical stage for our airport as we plan for Hong Kong International Airport's development into a three-runway system, and I am very pleased that Stanley has accepted the extension offer.'
