Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen insisted yesterday that the absence of official calls on state leaders during his five-day Beijing trip was 'normal'.
'I know this is the busiest time for national leaders in Beijing,' said Mr Tsang before leaving for the capital yesterday afternoon. 'I believe we will have chances to meet on some occasions.
'I was in Beijing on a duty visit in December. Since then, we do not have serious problems or serious issues to resolve, so I think the arrangement is very normal.'
His predecessor, Tung Chee-hwa, met state leaders every time he attended the annual NPC and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference meetings.
Mr Tsang is in Beijing until Monday to attend the opening ceremony of the National People's Congress on Sunday. Today he will meet Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan , Commerce Minister Bo Xilai , Ma Kai , head of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Wang Taihua , minister of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. Mr Tsang said he would also meet leaders of the pan Pearl River Delta provinces.
Gao Siren , director of the central government's liaison office in Hong Kong, said the chief executive would be able to meet President Hu Jintao , Premier Wen Jiabao and other state leaders during breaks.