China's leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping yesterday warned the Hong Kong people that they must stay united - but gave no hint about his stance on the city's chief executive contest.
Despite mounting speculation to the contrary, the vice-president revealed nothing during the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Beijing about the party's preference between the two front runners in Hong Kong's unusually contentious leadership fight.
He met Hong Kong deputies, but did not talk about Leung Chun-ying or Henry Tang Ying-yen and made no mention of the March 25 poll, according to Xinhua reports and delegates to the top advisory body.
Instead, the vice-president urged Hongkongers to 'stay united among brothers for the greatest strength', according attendees at the meeting.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen - in Beijing for the gathering - vowed to serve until the end of his term despite questions about his dealings with tycoons. He said the central government was fully aware of his situation.
Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) and a local deputy, said Xi was concerned about the city's disunity.