HONG KONG and Macau yesterday condemned the execution in Singapore of Angel Mou Pui-peng.
Macau Governor General Vasco Rocha Vieira described the hanging as 'revolting'.
Governor Chris Patten said he profoundly regretted the use of the death penalty, and expressed 'deep sympathy and condolences' to the family of Mou, a Macau-born Hong Kong resident.
In a message sent to Mou's mother, Wong Siu-mui, General Rocha Vieira said that as a citizen of a country that took pride in being one of the first to abolish capital punishment, he felt the loss of human life 'incomprehensible and even revolting'.
He expressed 'deep sorrow' at Mou's death and feelings of 'solidarity' with her 58-year-old mother, Mou's nine-year-old son and the rest of her family.
He called the boy an 'innocent and helpless victim' and said he hoped he could grow up happily 'in spite of everything'.