Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang taken to hospital ahead of release from prison

A source confirmed Tsang, 74, was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam on Friday night. But it was unclear what prompted his admission, and how long he would stay there.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun visited Tsang, a devout Catholic, on Saturday morning in the custodial ward of the hospital. He described the former chief executive as being in good spirits.

Tsang, the city’s leader from 2005 to 2012, was jailed for misconduct in public office. He fell from grace in February 2017 when he was found guilty over an undeclared rental deal with a tycoon.

He was expected to regain his freedom on Tuesday after serving a 12-month term in maximum security Stanley Prison. Personal protection, transport services and other welfare perks he enjoyed before imprisonment would also resume.