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Ng Kang-chung

Former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who has kept a low profile amid a graft-busters' investigation, got a high-profile reception from senior cadres on a recent private visit to Tibet.
Tsang's trip became public in reports published by mainland media yesterday of a reception held by Tibet Autonomous Region party secretary Chen Quanguo for Tsang as a former Hong Kong leader.
The meeting was reported to have been held in Lhasa on Monday but the reports did not specify who was with Tsang.
They said only that Tibet's deputy party secretary Wu Yingjie, Lhasa party chief Qi Zhala and other senior cadres had attended.
A video clip on VTibet.com, however, showed Tsang sitting in the centre of a hall beside Chen, listening attentively to the secretary's speech. In the back row was Tsang's wife, Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei.
Tsang, whose term ended in 2012, has been under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption for more than two years over complaints that he received inappropriate favours from tycoons.
The 2 minute, 53 second clip seemed to suggest Tsang was unprepared for the meeting with senior cadres. He was dressed casually in a stone-coloured jacketed with a pair of sunglasses hanging from his neck.
The report did not say what had been discussed but quoted Chen as briefing Tsang on the "brilliant developments" of Tibet under the "strong leadership" of the Communist Party after it "liberated" the region.
Tsang was reported to have told the cadres he was impressed by the social and economic development of Tibet, and that he would do his best to inform Hong Kong people of it in a truthful and objective manner.
He also said he would promote more exchanges between young people in the two places and encourage businesses to invest in Tibet, the reports said.
A spokesman for the Office of Former Chief Executives said: "Tsang has been doing regular private tours on the mainland and overseas since he stepped down … Our office is not involved in his private activities and does not comment on them."
Tsang was last in the media spotlight in Hong Kong on July 1 when he attended ceremonies to mark the handover anniversary.
Veteran China watcher Johnny Lau Yui-siu said the official reception was not unusual. "It is a norm of mainland politics. It also shows that Tsang still has some influence," Lau said.


Donald Tsang goes casual for Tibet visit

Donald Tsang made a rare public appearance. Photo: Xinhua

News

Hong Kong

Former chief executive makes rare return to spotlight as cadres welcome him to Lhasa


Former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, who has kept a low profile amid a graft-busters' investigation, got a high-profile reception from senior cadres on a recent private visit to Tibet.
