Lu recuperates after major stomach surgery

CHINA'S top spokesman on Hong Kong affairs, Lu Ping, is recuperating at a resort outside Beijing after undergoing surgery to remove two-thirds of his stomach.

Mr Lu, 68, director of the State Council's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, has long suffered from serious stomach ulcers which failed to respond to drugs.

His top aide, Chen Ziying, said yesterday it was not clear when Mr Lu would return to work.

'Director Lu's health is very good and he has already left hospital, but he has to have more rest out of the city,' he said. He did not specify where Mr Lu was.

He entered hospital shortly after returning from a Hong Kong tour in June.

There have been reports that Mr Lu was suffering from cancer, but this was denied by Beijing.