Tsang starts new term as chief executive

HONG KONG, April 2 (UPI) -- Wen Jiabao" class="tpstyle">Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Monday appointed Donald Tsang to a full term as chief executive of Hong Kong after his recent election victory.

The Harvard-educated Tsang last month defeated Alan Leon for the top post, winning 80 percent of the votes, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

Wen was quoted as saying, "Tsang's victory in the election meets the Hong Kong people's expectations and reflects their trust in him."

"Tsang has led the local government to enhance its governance capability, develop its economy, improve the livelihood of the people and handle actively and properly various problems of public concern."

As chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Tsang pledged to lead the government in a pragmatic manner and to "bring Hong Kong's development to a new height," Xinhua reported.

In his campaign, Tsang pledged to fully leverage the advantages of "one country, two systems" in pushing forward economic development, the democratic process, consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international metropolis and establishing the city as the country's international financial center.

Tsang's current terms will end in 2012.