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Ambrose Leung

Vice-president wants 'difficulties' overcome
Vice-President Xi Jinping  yesterday urged Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and his team to govern Hong Kong 'sensibly and reasonably', in order to implement 'stable and efficient' policies and overcome 'current difficulties'.
Observers see his remarks, on the second day of his visit to the city, as an indirect dressing-down for the administration, which has recently seen its  popularity fall amid the row over the new political appointees and rampant inflation.
It is the first time a state leader has publicly made such blunt statements towards the government since 2004, when President Hu Jintao  told former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, months before his resignation, to 'identify inadequacies'.
In a meeting with Mr Tsang and principal officials, Mr Xi reaffirmed the central government's support for the administration but said he hoped there would be solidarity among officials, and reminded them of the need for sensible and reasonable policies.
'Our expectations for the administration team can be summed up in two phrases: [govern] sensibly and reasonably; solidarity and high efficiency,' he said, as a stony-faced Mr Tsang stood next to him.
'We also hope the SAR government and the chief executive can maintain strong governance, a stable administration and high efficiency,' he added, saying this would help overcome 'current difficulties'.
'There should be mutual understanding and support among the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary' so as to maintain Hong Kong's stability and prosperity, Mr Xi said.
Reminding officials of Mr Hu's earlier hopes that the government would  strive to improve the economy and people's livelihoods while gradually advancing democracy, Mr Xi said central government policy towards the city had not changed.
In meetings with business and social leaders, staff of mainland bodies in the city and local deputies to the national legislature, he said he was concerned about  inflation in Hong Kong, although it would be a temporary problem and the government had introduced relief measures.
'This is a problem I am concerned about', Mr Xi said during a visit to a middle-class family in Hung Hom. He was confident that 'the chief executive thought about this matter every day'.
Democrat Lee Wing-tat said it was apparent Mr Xi was referring to how the government had handled the row over the appointment of  deputy ministers and  political assistants.
'Of course Vice-President Xi is concerned about the plunge of Donald Tsang's popularity. Although the lecture was not as serious as what Tung faced, not being fired doesn't mean he can sit tight and do nothing,' Mr Lee said.
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong chairman Tam Yiu-chung said it was good that Mr Xi had reminded Mr Tsang of Beijing's expectations.
'Although Mr Xi expressed support for the government, he also clearly stated his demands. Mr Tsang cannot expect only praise from his boss.
'He should correct any errors and listen to the legitimate demands,' he said.
Veteran China affairs analyst Johnny Lau Yui-siu said:  'What Mr Xi said was basically: We hope you will do a better job and there is room to improve.'
Mr Xi's three-day visit, his first  to the city since becoming vice-president in March, will conclude today.



Xi tells Tsang to 'govern sensibly'