Donald Tsang Yam-kuen smiled his way through his final hours in office - but acknowledged that the final months of his term were less than perfect as he said goodbye to the public at Government House.
With a warm hug for Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, a handshake for every member of staff and bouquets from the head of his office and personal secretary, Tsang departed his home and workplace of the last seven years for good shortly before 11pm last night. His term formally expired at midnight.
With his wife, Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei, at his side, Tsang addressed the media and colleagues, including staff from his office and home, his personal bodyguards, police escorts and drivers.
'I will be forever thankful to you, Hong Kong. We aimed for a perfect ending, but of course, some lines just don't rhyme,' he said, in English and Chinese.
'I've counted each of the 2,567 days [in office] as a great blessing. It was my supreme honour to serve Hong Kong.'
Perhaps in a nod to recent scandals about his stays at expensive hotels during visits overseas on government business, Tsang said his first night out of office would be spent in a hotel room that he had arranged and paid for.
