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Gary Cheung

Former financial services boss and key strategist in Tsang's election campaign is expected to take over senior position

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is expected to recommend former financial services secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan today for the post of chief secretary.

Mr Tsang said yesterday he would make a decision on the candidate for the post today and would then submit a report to the central government for the formal appointment.

'I hope to give all of you an explanation on the matter soon,' he said before returning to Hong Kong from Beijing last night after being sworn in as chief executive.

Mr Tsang said he would hold a special Executive Council meeting today and would reappoint sitting  council members. On Monday, he said he would have the opportunity to work again with Mr Hui, who is a long-time friend.

Mr Hui, 57, served as chief strategist in Mr Tsang's campaign for the top post.

Mr Tsang said yesterday he had also raised the detention of Hong Kong-based journalist Ching Cheong  with Liao Hui, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, shortly after he arrived in Beijing on Thursday.

Ching, a correspondent for The Straits Times of Singapore, has been detained on the mainland since April for alleged espionage.

'Mr Liao understands the issue very well. He told me the central government was concerned with the matter,' Mr Tsang said. 'Mr Liao said he would follow up the issue and will handle the case along with the relevant mainland departments in accordance with the laws as soon as possible.'

In discussions with Premier Wen Jiabao , Mr Tsang said he discussed using Hong Kong as a more effective platform for helping mainland enterprises to develop their overseas connections and raise capital. He said Mr Wen agreed to such an approach for Hong Kong in strengthening it as a financial hub.

Mr Tsang said Mr Wen also agreed that Hong Kong's role in the extension of renminbi business into the city's banking sector was enjoying reasonable success.

'We agreed that Hong Kong's interests and position would be considered when there is further movement on the renminbi front,' he said.

Mr Tsang said he did not discuss specific matters relating to the second phase of extending yuan-related business in Hong Kong.

Yang Wenchang,   Commissioner of the Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, said Mr Tsang's  priorities should be building a harmonious society, smoothing relations among different sectors and improving the economy.

Zhou Junming, deputy director of the Central Government Liaison Office, believed Mr Tsang would govern  well, saying he  understood people's aspirations.



Rafael Hui set for chief secretary post