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Jeffie Lam

Hong Kong’s leader revealed he was late for a key luncheon in London because he stopped to admire the sight of the Chinese national flag hung along The Mall ahead of President Xi Jinping’s  visit.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told a gathering of British business leaders on Friday that he kept them waiting not because he “set off late” but because he wanted to admire the patriotic sight.
READ MORE: CY Leung says Hong Kong's success hinges on rule of law
“What was happening was this: the three cars that were carrying myself and my colleagues were running along The Mall. Suddenly I saw something and I asked the driver to stop,” he said.
“Our country’s flags were brilliantly displayed along the mall in preparation for the president’s visit to the United Kingdom which I’m sure will be highly successful.”

Leung joked he was “disappointed” by the fact none of his colleagues, who all got out of the car, ran towards him “to find out what was happening to the chief executive”. Instead each “had a camera in their hands for the flags”.
Leung’s remarks sparked sarcastic comments from internet users, with some saying they had never heard of such an excuses for being late and others accusing Leung of being “a toady”.
In a post on his official blog yesterday, Leung again alluded to the incident, describing the scene as “solemn” and “colourful”. He mentioned that his colleagues got out of the car, but did not mention the fact he was late for lunch, nor that it was he who asked the driver to stop the car.
READ MORE: Britain pulls out all the stops for Xi's visit
Leung spent two days in Britain, holding talks with government ministers.
Xi arrives in London today for a four-day visit as Britain seeks to build ties with Beijing and attract investment. He will hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, visit top soccer club Manchester City and, according to British media reports, stop off for a portion of traditional fish and chips.


Hanging at The Mall: how 'solemn' sight of Chinese national flag made Hong Kong leader CY Leung late for lunch

The flags of China and Britain hang on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Photo: AFP

Leung speaks in London last week

Leung speaks in London last week. Photo: ISD

Finance, investment and football: interview with Chinese President Xi Jinping upon his British tour

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Britain from Oct. 19 to 23. Photo: Xinhua

(151014) -- LONDON, Oct. 14, 2015 (Xinhua) -- File photo taken on Feb. 22, 2015 shows the lion dance during the Chinese lunar New Year celebration in London, Britain. Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Britain from Oct. 19 to 23. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

Xi Jinping kicks a football during a visit to Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland on February 19, 2012. Photo: Reuters

President Xi Jinping in Britain: How he will spend his time

President Xi Jinping has heaped praise on Britain for what he called a 'visionary and strategic choice' to strengthen commercial ties with China, as he prepared for his state visit to the United Kingdom. Photo: Reuters

China's national flags have been fixed on lampposts beside Union flags along The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace. Photo: AP

On Friday President Xi Jinping, who is a keen football fan, will visit Manchester City Football Club, who were crowned the 2013-14 English Premier League champions in May 2014. Photo: Reuters

President Xi Jinping will receive an official ceremonial welcome on Tuesday held at Horse Guards Parade, a large parade ground off Whitehall in London. File photo: Reuters

The Queen and Prince Philip will accompany President Xi and his wife in a state carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday. File photo: Reuters

President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, will be staying at Buckingham Palace, in London, the official home of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, during his state visit. Photo: Xinhua

President Xi and his wife will take a private tour of an exhibition in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London after lunch on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

 Britain''s Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by Prince Philip, at the Palace of Westminster, in London, where President Xi Jinping will address the British parliament on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters 

The ballroom at Buckingham Palace, which will host a state dinner in honour of President Xi and his wife on Tuesday evening. Photo: Xinhua

President Xi Jinping will be greeted by British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, where Premier Li Keqiang (right) met the British politician in June 2014. Photo: AP

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (left) and Premier Li Keqiang (right) held official talks at No 10 Downing Street in London in June 2014. Photo: Reuters

British Prime Minister David Cameron at the entrance to Chequers, his private retreat, where President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, will dine with him on Thursday. Photo: AFP 

'The reddest red carpet' will be unfurled to ensure successful President Xi Jinping state visit to Britain

President Xi Jinping (right) met both US President Barack Obama (left) and Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron during last month's UN General Assembly summit in New York. Photo: EPA

George Osborne and Li Keqiang in Beijing last month.

Li Keqiang with David Cameron in London last year.

When David and Nick met the Dalai Lama. The 2012 meeting ruffled feathers in Beijing, an issue the British leader has avoided this year. 

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Hanging at The Mall: how 'solemn' sight of Chinese national flag made Hong Kong leader CY Leung late for lunch

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}READ MORE: .css-jfmysa{display:inline;word-break:break-word;}.css-1ankfgb{cursor:pointer;display:inline;word-break:break-word;}CY Leung says Hong Kong's success hinges on rule of law

READ MORE: CY Leung says Hong Kong's success hinges on rule of law