Mr Tsang said he could get along with Tung Chee-hwa even if they might not agree entirely.
'I have worked with Mr Tung for more than three years. We have gone through difficult times, including the Asian financial turmoil, and overcome complicated problems,' Mr Tsang said.
'Sometimes we may not agree entirely. However, under mutual understanding and trust and having a common goal to serve Hong Kong, we work happily together.
'I don't think I, nor I hope will Mr Tung, compromise on freedom, human rights and the rule of law.'
Reports suggested Anson Chan Fang On-sang was at odds with Mr Tung. When Mrs Chan announced last month she would step down as Chief Secretary for Administration, she said some people had tried to sow discord between them.
Referring to this, Mr Tsang said: 'Mrs Chan and Mr Tung said they worked very well together. There may be some who sowed discord. Not everyone will flatter you. Some may be libellous. This is one of the strengths of Hong Kong . . . As civil servants, we have to be brazen to face it.'
Mr Tsang, who once speculated he might be unable to straddle the handover as he had worked closely with last governor Chris Patten, said he was content with the trust Beijing had put in him.
