Tsang's concepts win public trust
China Daily  Updated: 2005-06-17 06:03

Donald Tsang was yesterday returned uncontested in the chief executive (CE) by-election with an overwhelming supremacy.

Although the election has come to an end, many of the details are worthy of analysis.

On June 2, when the State Council approved his resignation as chief secretary for administration, Tsang formally declared his candidacy for the CE post.

His election was already widely predicted as a certainty then. Yet Tsang launched a very serious campaign.

First of all, he put forward a comprehensive and definitive platform, highlighting the principles of enhancing the government's ruling ability, creating social harmony and working for people's well-being.

He stressed that he would heighten the level of governance, focus on economic development, improve the labour market, build a harmonious society and increase public participation in politics.

These political concepts addressed directly social problems and were able to soothe public sentiment.

In recent years, Hongkongers have become tired of incessant political wrangling, worrying that it might take its toll on the economy. They hope that the SAR government can better its governance by strengthening the executive-led regime and steer the city back onto the right track of improving the economy and people's livelihoods.

Tsang's policy blueprint represented people's wishes and enjoyed support from across the community.

Soon after unveiling his platform, Tsang kickstarted a publicity campaign in a bid to garner votes through personal efforts.

He organized press conferences, met EC members, communicated with members of the public on radio programmes, and listened to them in person when he paid visits to various districts. He did not dodge sensitive issues and was willing to hear different opinions with sincerity. By sharing his aspirations and feelings with those he met, he won understanding and trust.

Prior to meeting with Tsang, not one of the EC members of the social welfare sector, who bore grudges against the SAR government, were willing to nominate him. But Tsang was finally able to win them over with his absolute sincerity. Opinion polls that ensued showed that more than half of that sector's members favoured him as the new CE and 39 out of 40 of the sector's EC members gave him their nominations.

Thanks to his sincere attitude and affinity, Tsang's popularity rating remained at the high levels between 70 and 80 per cent and he secured the support of almost 90 per cent of the EC members. It was with such a preponderance that he won the election in a lopsided victory.

The sense of competition and undaunted spirit Tsang showed during the process of securing nominations was indeed praiseworthy. He did not slacken his efforts in spite of the lack of a real opponent. Instead, he treated the exercise of seeking nominations like a real election campaign. Through this exercise, members of the EC and the public were able to get to know him better and became more willing to trust him. This has apparently laid a firm foundation for his future governance.

Tsang adopted the goal of "not one vote less" and worked steadfastly towards it. Such a positive attitude is not only what is needed in an election, its adoption is actually the only way to realize better governance.

Tsang's performance has made a mockery of those who criticized the by-election as a "small circle" race. The fact is, the by-election was not without rivalry, platforms, competition or public recognition as some accused. On the contrary, all these were present but Tsang made himself accountable to the general public and won legitimate overwhelming support.

(China Daily 06/17/2005 page4)

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