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SCMP Reporter

Financial Secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung yesterday revealed his love for Fu Mingxia, China's four-time Olympic gold medal-winning superstar, and said they planned to marry within the year.

Mr Leung, 50, a divorcee, called a snap press briefing to make the news public after informing Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa of his decision.

Ms Fu, who at 23 is 27 years Mr Leung's junior, became the youngest world champion diver at the age of 12 and has been dubbed China's 'diving queen'.

She has won four gold medals in two Olympic Games - one of them at Sydney 2000 after coming out of retirement.

Yesterday a smiling and relaxed Mr Leung appeared at the Central Government Offices to tell of his love for Ms Fu, details of which emerged in a Chinese-language newspaper report published yesterday.

'I'm very happy to confirm to you all that Fu Mingxia and myself are dating. The contents of the media reports are basically accurate,' said Mr Leung.

'As this is a private matter between Fu Mingxia and myself, I hope that all of you will help by giving us more private room to continue our development,' the ex-banker said with a smile.

The report, which he described as 'basically accurate', also said the couple would marry within the year and Ms Fu would move to Hong Kong.

He dismissed claims that he and Ms Fu had been living together or that he had felt pressure to reveal their relationship.

'One is in Beijing and another is in Hong Kong - I think your question is a bit hypothetical. In fact, that's not the case,' he said.

The Financial Secretary's press secretary, Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, said Mr Leung had informed Mr Tung and Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang Yam-kuen about his plans.

Mr Tung, who was asked to comment on Mr Leung's new romance when he arrived for work, said: 'I am very happy for them.'

Ms Fu was in the capital and unavailable for comment.

The semi-official China News Service yesterday quoted Yu Fen, Ms Fu's former coach, as saying the public should respect her choice. 'I have seen her growing up. I believe in her choice. She is now a well-known person and shoulders a lot of pressure. Anything she does raises a lot of public interest. But I hope other people can respect her privacy,' Ms Yu said.

Zhou Jihong, leader of the Chinese national diving team, offered her congratulations, but added others should not pry into the couple's affairs. 'This is entirely a personal matter for Fu Mingxia. She is 23 years old, and is entirely capable of looking after herself. Other people have no reason to interfere.'

The couple met at an awards ceremony in Hong Kong, after which Ms Fu reportedly claimed she did not know what Mr Leung did for a living.

Ms Fu's elder sister, Fu Mingyen, last night said the family has known about the relationship since the start of the year. 'I think this is their own business. We respect their views,' she added.

Mr Leung decided to go public with the romance because he felt their relationship had become stable and mature, Mr Tam said.

It is understood they will marry after Ms Fu completes her business studies course at Tsinghua University.

Mr Leung, who divorced his wife in 1998, plans to continue his political career in Hong Kong, while Ms Fu will eventually settle here.



Antony Leung declares his love for golden girl of diving pool