# Donald Tsang

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Chief Executive of Hong Kong
from 2005 to 2012

In this [Hong Kong name](/source/Hong_Kong_name), the [surname](/source/Surname) is *[Tsang](/source/Zeng)*. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Donald Tsang and the Chinese-style name is Tsang Yam Kuen.

The Honourable Sir Donald Tsang GBM KBE 曾蔭權 Tsang in 2012 2nd Chief Executive of Hong Kong In office 21 June 2005[a] – 30 June 2012 President Hu Jintao Premier Wen Jiabao Preceded by Tung Chee-hwa Succeeded by Leung Chun-ying Chief Secretary for Administration In office 1 May 2001 – 31 May 2005 Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa Preceded by Anson Chan Succeeded by Rafael Hui Financial Secretary of Hong Kong In office 1 July 1997 – 30 April 2001 Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa Succeeded by Anthony Leung In office 1 September 1995 – 30 June 1997 Governor Chris Patten Preceded by Hamish Macleod Secretary for the Treasury In office 7 May 1993 – 31 March 1995 Governor Chris Patten Preceded by Yeung Kai-yin Succeeded by Kwong Ki-chi Personal details Born Tsang Yam Kuen (1944-10-07) 7 October 1944 (age 81) Hong Kong Party Independent Spouse Selina Pou Siu-mei ​ (m. 1969)​ Children 2 Education Wah Yan College Alma mater Harvard University (MPA) Profession Politician, Civil Servant Origin Namhoi, Kwangtung[1] Signature

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen Traditional Chinese 曾蔭權 Simplified Chinese 曾荫权 Cantonese Yale Jāng Yam-kyùhn or Jàng Yam-kyùhn Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zēng Yìnquán IPA [tsə́ŋ întɕʰɥɛ̌n] Hakka Romanization Zen1 Yim4 Kien2[2] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jāng Yam-kyùhn or Jàng Yam-kyùhn Jyutping Zang1 Jam3-kyun4 IPA [tsɐŋ˥ jɐm˧.kʰyn˩] or [tsɐ̂ŋ jɐ̄m.kʰy̏ːn]

Part of a series on Conservatism in Hong Kong Ideologies Authoritarian Communitarianism Cultural Fiscal Liberal Economic National Chinese Hong Kong Religious Christian Confucian Social Ultra Principles Asian values Authority Elitism Familialism Utilitarian Rule of law Social order Traditional Chinese culture Pro-Beijing camp Anti-Americanism Anti-British sentiment Anti–Hong Kong independence Chinese culture PRC Chinese irredentism "United front" One country, one system (factions) One country, two systems (factions) Sinicization Syncretic politics Zhonghua minzu Pro-ROC camp Anti-communism Anti-PRC Pro-ROC Chinese culture Free trade Meritocracy Three Principles of the People Unification under ROC Anti–Hong Kong independence Zhonghua minzu Conservative localists Anti-communism Anti-PRC Anti-Chinese Hong Kong culture British Nativism Anti-immigration Pro-Taiwanese sentiment Self-determination Westernization History 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill 2019 Yuen Long attack 2020 Hong Kong national security law British Hong Kong Emergency Regulations Ordinance Four big families Handover of Hong Kong Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 Politicians Chan (Gary) Chan (Joephy) Chow Clementi Fok Ho Ip (Kwok-him) Ip (Regina) Kwok Lam Lee (Allen) Lee (Dominic) Lee (John) Lee (Starry) Leung Liao Quat Tsang (Donald) Tsang (Yok-sing) Tung Yung Extant parties Pro-Beijing camp Business and Professionals Alliance Civil Force Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress Federation of Public Housing Estates Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Kowloon West New Dynamic Liberal Party New Century Forum New People's Party New Prospect New Territories Association of Societies Politihk Social Strategic Roundtable Professional Power Silent Majority Centrist camp Professional Power Pro-ROC camp Hong Kong and Kowloon Trades Union Council Conservative localists Hong Kong Indigenous Youngspiration Historical parties Pro-Beijing camp Co-operative Resources Centre Federation for the Stability Hong Kong Alliance of Chinese and Expatriates Hong Kong Progressive Alliance Liberal Democratic Federation New Hong Kong Alliance Professional Forum Progressive Hong Kong Society Centrist camp Hope for Hong Kong Pro-ROC camp 123 Democratic Alliance Yuen Long Tin Shui Wai Democratic Alliance Conservative localists Civic Passion Hong Kong National Front Hong Kong National Party Alliances Pro-Beijing camp Pro-ROC camp United front in Hong Kong Organisations China Youth Service & Recreation Center Group of 89 Society for Truth and Light Triad § Chinese government connections Media Current Headline Daily Hong Kong Economic Times Oriental Daily News Sing Tao Daily The Standard Former Kung Sheung Daily News Wah Kiu Yat Po Related topics Conservatism in China Hong Kong Police Force Neoauthoritarianism in China Politics of Hong Kong Anarchism Centrism Liberalism Localism Socialism Positive non-interventionism Pro-Beijing leftists 1967 Hong Kong riots Xi Jinping's Hong Kong policy Conservatism portal Hong Kong portal v t e

**Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen** [GBM](/source/Grand_Bauhinia_Medal) [KBE](/source/Order_of_the_British_Empire)[b][8] ([Chinese](/source/Chinese_language): 曾蔭權; born 7 October 1944) is a former Hong Kong civil servant who served as the second [Chief Executive of Hong Kong](/source/Chief_Executive_of_Hong_Kong) from 2005 to 2012.

Tsang joined the [colonial civil service](/source/Hong_Kong_Civil_Service) as an Executive Officer in 1967, occupying various positions in local administration, finance and trade before he was appointed [Financial Secretary of Hong Kong](/source/Financial_Secretary_(Hong_Kong)) in 1995, becoming the first ethnic Chinese to hold the position under British administration.[9] He continued to serve in the Hong Kong SAR government after 1997 and gained his reputation internationally for his intervention in Hong Kong's stock market in defending the [Hong Kong dollar](/source/Hong_Kong_dollar)'s peg to the US dollar during the [1997 Asian financial crisis](/source/1997_Asian_financial_crisis).

Tsang became the [Chief Secretary for Administration](/source/Chief_Secretary_for_Administration) in 2001 and ran for the Chief Executive office in [2005](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election) after the incumbent [Tung Chee-hwa](/source/Tung_Chee-hwa) resigned. He served the remaining term of Tung and [was re-elected](/source/2007_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election) in 2007. He served a full five-year term until he stepped down in 2012. In his seven years of term, he proposed two constitutional reforms in [2005](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_electoral_reform) and [2010](/source/2010_Hong_Kong_electoral_reform) and saw the second ones passed after he reached a compromise with the [pro-democracy](/source/Pro-democracy_camp_in_Hong_Kong) legislators, making them the first and only political reform proposals to be passed in the SAR history. He carried out a five-year policy blueprint and ten large-scale infrastructure projects during his term. His popularity began to decline after the introduction of the [Political Appointments System](/source/Political_Appointments_System) which was marked by controversies and scandals.

In the last months of his term, Tsang was embroiled in various corruption allegations. He was subsequently charged by the [Independent Commission Against Corruption](/source/Independent_Commission_Against_Corruption_(Hong_Kong)) and found guilty of one count of misconduct in public office in February 2017 and was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, becoming the highest officeholder in Hong Kong history to be convicted and imprisoned. His name was later cleared when the [Court of Final Appeal](/source/Court_of_Final_Appeal_(Hong_Kong)) unanimously quashed his conviction and sentence in June 2019, on the ground that the trial judge had misdirected the [jury](/source/Jury).[10]

## Early life and government career

Tsang was born in Hong Kong on 7 October 1944 to a [Hong Kong police officer](/source/Hong_Kong_Police_Force). His family ancestry is from [Foshan](/source/Foshan) in Guangdong. He spent his childhood living in the [Hollywood Road Police Married Quarters](/source/Former_Hollywood_Road_Police_Married_Quarters) in [Central, Hong Kong](/source/Central%2C_Hong_Kong). After completing his secondary education at [Wah Yan College, Hong Kong](/source/Wah_Yan_College%2C_Hong_Kong), a [Jesuit](/source/Jesuit) school in Hong Kong, he worked briefly as a salesman at US drug company [Pfizer Inc.](/source/Pfizer_Inc.) before joining the civil service.[11]

Tsang joined the Civil Service as an Executive Officer in January 1967 and held many positions dealing with local administration, finance, trade and policies relating to the return of Hong Kong to China. In 1977, Tsang was attached to the [Asian Development Bank](/source/Asian_Development_Bank) in Manila for a year and worked on water supply and railway development projects in the Philippines and Bangladesh.[12] He was subsequently sent by the government to complete a master's degree in public administration from the [John F. Kennedy School of Government](/source/Harvard_Kennedy_School) of the [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) in 1981.

Tsang was responsible for implementing the [Sino-British Joint Declaration](/source/Sino-British_Joint_Declaration), signed in 1984 to decide the Hong Kong's sovereignty to be transferred to China in 1997, and the promotion of the [British Nationality Selection Scheme](/source/British_Nationality_Selection_Scheme) as Deputy Secretary of the General Duties Branch between 1985 and 1989. In 1989, he was appointed Director of Administration to oversee the functioning of the Government Secretariat. In 1991 he became Director-General of Trade and in charge of all facets of trade negotiation and administration affecting Hong Kong. In May 1993, he was promoted to [Secretary for the Treasury](/source/Secretary_for_Financial_Services_and_the_Treasury), responsible for the overall resource allocation, the taxation systems and the cost effectiveness of the Hong Kong government.[12]

## Financial Secretary

In September 1995, Tsang was appointed [Financial Secretary](/source/Financial_Secretary_(Hong_Kong)), becoming the first Chinese to hold the position in 150 years of colonial history. He went on to become the first Financial Secretary in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 1 July 1997. Shortly before the [handover](/source/Handover_of_Hong_Kong), he was knighted by [Prince Charles](/source/Prince_Charles) at [Government House](/source/Government_House_of_Hong_Kong) in June 1997.[12]

During his term as Financial Secretary, Tsang coined the term "caring capitalism" in 1996, which describe the governments's approach of giving priority to economic growth and then using the new-found wealth to develop social infrastructure and welfare services.[13] Hong Kong's public spending grew steadily as public revenue remained robust and government budget in surplus. Public expenditure to GDP rose to as high as 23%, though still the lowest among developed economies. He also approved a raise in civil servants' salaries at the beginning of the [1997 Asian financial crisis](/source/1997_Asian_financial_crisis). The salary raise was finally reversed, aligning civil servants' salaries to 1997 levels.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Tsang was known for his role in defending the [Hong Kong dollar](/source/Hong_Kong_dollar)'s peg to the US dollar during the [1997 Asian financial crisis](/source/1997_Asian_financial_crisis) in 1998 from attacks by hedge funds led by [George Soros](/source/George_Soros) who he dubbed "crocodiles".[14] He joined hand with [Joseph Yam](/source/Joseph_Yam), Chief Executive of the [Hong Kong Monetary Authority](/source/Hong_Kong_Monetary_Authority), and bought over $15 billion in Hong Kong stock to defend Hong Kong's exchange rate and to make the government the biggest shareholder in many blue chip firms.[15] Tsang's action successfully led to the retreat of the hedge funds and earned his reputation internationally.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Chief Secretary

In 2001, Tsang succeeded [Anson Chan](/source/Anson_Chan) who retired citing personal reasons to be the [Chief Secretary for Administration](/source/Chief_Secretary_for_Administration), the second-ranking position in the government. It was widely believed that Chan resigned from the government in protest against [Chief Executive](/source/Chief_Executive_of_Hong_Kong) [Tung Chee-hwa](/source/Tung_Chee-hwa)'s introduction of the [Principal Officials Accountability System](/source/Principal_Officials_Accountability_System), which altered the capacity of the Chief Secretary from civil servant to political appointee.[16]

Under the new system, the power of the Chief Secretary as the head of the civil service was largely taken away by the Chief Executive and all ministers would only report to the Chief Executive directly. Donald Tsang found his major task as Chief Secretary was to implement Tung's order to launch a "Team Clean Campaign" to clean up the city in May 2003 after the [SARS outbreak](/source/2002%E2%80%932004_SARS_outbreak).[16]

As he was generally regarded as being sidelined by Tung, Tsang was untainted by major policy blunders, such as the controversy over the [legislation](/source/National_Security_(Legislative_Provisions)_Bill_2003) of the [Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23](/source/Hong_Kong_Basic_Law_Article_23) which led to a [historic massive demonstration](/source/Hong_Kong_July_1_marches#2003) on 1 July 2003. He remained topping in popularity polls among all the officials in Hong Kong as Chief Secretary.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Chief Executive bid

Main article: [2005 Hong Kong Chief Executive election](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election)

On 11 March 2005, incumbent Tung Chee-hwa announced his resignation, citing poor health. Tung's resignation was approved by the [central government](/source/Central_People's_Government) the next day and Tsang took over becoming the acting Chief Executive. After Tung's resignation, Tsang was tipped as Beijing's favoured next Chief Executive. On the afternoon of 25 May 2005, Tsang resigned as Chief Secretary and announced his Chief Executive candidacy on 2 June 2005 after his resignation was accepted by the central government. He [was elected unopposed](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election) by the 800-member [Election Committee](/source/Election_Committee) on 16 June 2005 and was formally appointed by the central government as the Chief Executive on 21 June 2005. However, the term of the Chief Executive was disputed, which led to the interpretation of the [Basic Law](/source/Basic_Law_of_Hong_Kong) by the [National People's Congress Standing Committee](/source/National_People's_Congress_Standing_Committee) on 27 April to clarify that Tsang would only serve out the remaining two years of Tung Chee-hwa's term, rather than the full five years as some legal professionals argued.

## Chief Executive

### First term (2005–07)

Main article: [First term of Donald Tsang as Chief Executive of Hong Kong](/source/First_term_of_Donald_Tsang_as_Chief_Executive_of_Hong_Kong)

#### Economic policies

In 2006, Tsang proclaimed that "positive non-interventionism" was "past tense" for Hong Kong, which the role of the government was to "facilitate what the market does." Tsang's statement drew criticism locally and internationally, notably from economic philosopher [Nobel Laureates](/source/Nobel_Laureates) [Milton Friedman](/source/Milton_Friedman) who had highly praised Hong Kong's free market economy, [Edmund Phelps](/source/Edmund_Phelps) and an economist from the [Chinese Academy of Social Sciences](/source/Chinese_Academy_of_Social_Sciences).[17] Friedman published the article "Hong Kong wrong" on *[The Wall Street Journal](/source/The_Wall_Street_Journal)* in October 2006 shortly before he died, criticising Tsang for abandoning positive non-interventionism.[18] [The Heritage Foundation](/source/The_Heritage_Foundation), a conservative Washington think tank, formally removed Hong Kong's designation as a bastion of economic freedom. Tsang later vowed his government's commitment to "small government".[19]

#### 2007/08 constitutional reform

Main article: [2005 Hong Kong electoral reform](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_electoral_reform)

Tsang developed a warm relationship with the [pan-democrats](/source/Pan-democrats) during the early months of his first term. Pan-democrat legislator [Albert Chan](/source/Albert_Chan) gave his nomination to Tsang in the Chief Executive election, while [Albert Cheng](/source/Albert_Cheng_(politician)) was seen as Tsang's friend in the [Legislative Council](/source/Legislative_Council_of_Hong_Kong). Tsang also appointed some members from the pan-democracy camp to the government positions, including Lau Sai-leung to the [Central Policy Unit](/source/Central_Policy_Unit) which drew the criticism from the traditional [Beijing-loyalists](/source/Pro-Beijing_camp). On 30 August 2005, Tsang announced that the Guangdong Provincial Government invited all 60 members from the legislative council to visit [Guangdong](/source/Guangdong) between 25 and 26 September 2005. This was the first chance for most of the pro-democrats such as [Martin Lee](/source/Martin_Lee) to visit the mainland China since 1989.

The Tsang administration's relationship with the pan-democrats deteriorated after the pro-democrats' rejection of the [constitutional reform package](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_electoral_reform) in December 2005. Bounded by the decision by the [National People's Congress Standing Committee](/source/National_People's_Congress_Standing_Committee) in 2004 which ruled out the 2007/2008 Chief Executive and Legislative Council universal suffrage, the Tsang administration put forward a reform package which would expand the 800-member [Election Committee](/source/Election_Committee) to 1,600 members and add 10 seats to the 2008 Legislative Council, with five directly elected through [geographical constituencies](/source/Geographical_constituencies) and five [functional constituencies](/source/Functional_constituency_(Hong_Kong)) elected by District Councillors. The government claimed that this was the best deal they could muster given the constraints of the NPCSC verdict.[20] The proposal failed to gain two-thirds majority of the Legislative Council with four votes short, as 24 pan-democrats vetoed it. He angered democrats, who voted down his proposals, when he referred to them as "horrid animals".[21]

#### Action Blue Sky Campaign

In mid-2006 Tsang launched the "[Action Blue Sky Campaign](/source/Action_Blue_Sky_Campaign)" and outlined a comprehensive plan to tackle air pollution in Hong Kong and in collaboration with the neighbouring [Guangdong](/source/Guangdong). Scepticism however remained among the expatriate and local population of Hong Kong and, in late November 2006, they ridiculed Tsang for citing the long life expectancy of Hong Kong residents as evidence of Hong Kong's high quality of life relative to other major cities in the East Asian region.[22]

### 2007 re-election

Main article: [2007 Hong Kong Chief Executive election](/source/2007_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election)

Tsang announced he would seek for the second term on 1 February 2007 with the campaign slogan "I'll get the job done". He submitted his nomination on 16 February, with 641 of the 796 [Election Committee](/source/Election_Committee) members nominated him which guaranteed his electoral victory before the polling day. He faced challenge from the [pan-democrats](/source/Pan-democrats) who backed [Civic Party](/source/Civic_Party) legislator [Alan Leong](/source/Alan_Leong) to run against him.

Tsang was elected by the 796-member Election Committee on 25 March 2007 with 649 votes, compared to Leong's 123 votes. It was seen as the first competitive Chief Executive election featuring two candidates from different political camp with debates held between the candidates which changed Hong Kong's political culture.

### Second term (2007–12)

Main article: [Second term of Donald Tsang as Chief Executive of Hong Kong](/source/Second_term_of_Donald_Tsang_as_Chief_Executive_of_Hong_Kong)

#### Five-year policy blueprint

Donald Tsang meeting with [US Secretary of State](/source/United_States_Secretary_of_State) [Condoleezza Rice](/source/Condoleezza_Rice) at the [APEC Australia 2007](/source/APEC_Australia_2007).

Following his re-election as the Chief Executive in 2007, Tsang set out the 5-year blueprint for the third term of the SAR government in his 2007–08 [policy address](/source/Policy_address). He stressed the importance of "progressive development", a core element of which is the promotion of community development through revitalisation of the built heritage in the city which is to be realised by promoting economic development through infrastructure projects. Ten large-scale infrastructure projects were also proposed within his term of office to boost economic activities to improve the living environment in Hong Kong: (1) [MTR](/source/MTR) [Southern District Extension](/source/South_Island_line); (2) MTR [Sha Tin to Central Link](/source/Sha_Tin_to_Central_Link); (3) Tuen Mun Western Bypass and [Tuen Mun–Chek Lap Kok Link](/source/Tuen_Mun%E2%80%93Chek_Lap_Kok_Link); (4) [Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link](/source/Guangzhou%E2%80%93Shenzhen%E2%80%93Hong_Kong_Express_Rail_Link); (5) [Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge](/source/Hong_Kong%E2%80%93Zhuhai%E2%80%93Macau_Bridge); (6) Hong Kong-Shenzhen Airport Co-operation; (7) Hong Kong-Shenzhen Joint Development of the [Lok Ma Chau](/source/Lok_Ma_Chau) Loop; (8) [West Kowloon Cultural District](/source/West_Kowloon_Cultural_District); (9) [Kai Tak Development Plan](/source/Kai_Tak_Development); and (10) New Development Areas at [Kwu Tung North](/source/Kwu_Tung), [Fanling North](/source/Fanling), [Ping Che](/source/Ping_Che) and [Ta Kwu Ling](/source/Ta_Kwu_Ling) and [Hung Shui Kiu](/source/Hung_Shui_Kiu).

#### Heritage conservation

The Tsang administration embattled with the conservation movement which reach its peak in the late 2000s, including the protests against the demolitions of the [Star Ferry Pier](/source/Edinburgh_Place_Ferry_Pier) and the [Queen's Pier](/source/Queen's_Pier). In response to it, Tsang set up a Commissioner for Heritage Office and earmarked $1 billion to revitalise historic buildings. He also proposed a series of revitalisation projects that would add a new dimension to Central. For instance, to reduce the development density of the Central Ferry Piers site and open up the public space along the waterfront for entertainment, recreational and cultural uses; to remove the [Central Market](/source/Central_Market%2C_Hong_Kong) from the Application List and hand it over to the [Urban Renewal Authority](/source/Urban_Renewal_Authority) for conservation and revitalisation; and to convert the [Murray Building](/source/Murray_Building) into a hotel through open tender etc.

#### Political Appointments System

Main article: [Political Appointments System](/source/Political_Appointments_System)

In 2008, the Tsang administration introduced the [Political Appointments System](/source/Political_Appointments_System), by superseding the [Principal Officials Accountability System](/source/Principal_Officials_Accountability_System) (POAS) and inserting two layers of politically appointed officials below the secretaries, who are political appointees. The appointees' foreign nationalities, experience and remuneration levels, and transparency of the selection process were widely criticism by the public, which led to Tsang to offer a public apology, saying: "With hindsight, I admit the arrangements in this regard did not fully meet public expectations, and I apologise for the controversy this has caused."[23] The controversy became the turning point of the popularity of the Tsang government. A poll showed Tsang's popularity declining sharply following the three-week row over the introduction of the [Political Appointments System](/source/Political_Appointments_System); his disapproval rating rose from 18% to a record 24%, while his approval rating declined from 66% to 60.8% in the space of three weeks.[24] His approval/disapproval rating continued to deteriorate, and stood at 39/41% as at late August 2008.[25]

#### Great Recession

After [Great Recession](/source/Great_Recession) led to a steep rise in unemployment especially among the banking and finance industries, Tsang announced on 8 December 2008 to create 60,000 jobs in 2009 by speeding up infrastructure projects and a ten-fold increase in its loan guarantee scheme for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Tsang government also quickly formed a Task Force on Economic Challenges to deal with the recession. Tsang came up with six economic sectors to explore with the recommendations of the Task Force in his 2009–10 policy address: (1) testing and certification, (2) medical services, (3) innovation and technology, (4) cultural and creative industries, (5) environmental industry, and (6) educational services. The government pledged to provide more concrete support in those sectors and called them as the "new economic pillars". After a year of negative record of GDP growth rate, the Hong Kong economy recovered quickly from 2010, despite the poverty population keep growing under Tsang tenure.[26]

#### Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link

Main article: [Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link Hong Kong Section](/source/Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong_Kong_Express_Rail_Link_Hong_Kong_Section)

In 2009, the government proposal of the [Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link Hong Kong section](/source/Hong_Kong_Express_Rail_Link) sparked concerns over the significant cost escalations compared to estimates made one year previously, the conservation of the Choi Yuen village and the increasing Mainland–Hong Kong integration. The government's plan drew more than 10,000 people protesting against the construction of the rail link in late 2009 and early 2010.[27] Despite the controversy and strong opposition from the community, the [Executive Council](/source/Executive_Council_of_Hong_Kong) approved the implementation on 20 October 2009.[28] Appropriations for the project of $64 billion were passed by the Legislative Council on 16 January 2010 with the objections of the pro-democracy legislators.[29]

#### 2012 constitutional reform

Main articles: [2010 Hong Kong electoral reform](/source/2010_Hong_Kong_electoral_reform) and [Act Now (slogan)](/source/Act_Now_(slogan))

The Tsang administration launched the proposals for electoral reform for the 2012 Chief Executive and Legislative Council elections in November 2009 which largely similar to the 2005 proposals.[30] To oppose the proposal, five pan-democrat legislators resigned from the Legislative Council to trigger a [territory-wide by-election](/source/2010_Hong_Kong_by-election) in which they campaigned as the "Five Constituencies Referendum" for universal suffrage and the abolition of the [functional constituencies](/source/Functional_constituency_(Hong_Kong)).

Following the by-election, the government stepped up efforts to gain support for the reform package. It commissioned two television advertisements which emphasised the need to move forwards with democratisation. Tsang began to campaign via radio interviews, and he and his ministers took to the streets to mobilise support. On the weekend of 29/30 May, Tsang and his ministers toured Hong Kong on an unpublicised itinerary to deliver flyers and meet the public.[31] Tsang described as "myths" which surrounded the proposals – that it is regressive, it makes little difference whether it is passed or not, and that ordinary people are not concerned by political developments. He said they were "the first step as well as the last opportunity" to lay the foundation for a chief executive elected by universal suffrage in 2017. He expressed his fear that "a mood of pessimism and cynicism will take root" if there was no progress this time.[32] Tsang also invited [Audrey Eu](/source/Audrey_Eu) of the Civic Party, the spokesperson of the "Five Constituencies Referendum" to a one-hour televised debate on 17 June. Pundits were unanimous that Eu had trounced Tsang in the debate, with the [University of Hong Kong](/source/University_of_Hong_Kong) poll showed that 45% of people were "more opposed" to the government's proposals after the debate, while 20% said they were more supportive.[33]

The central government made a U-turn on the moderate democrats' modified proposal tabled by the [Democratic Party](/source/Democratic_Party_(Hong_Kong)) on 19 June, after *[South China Morning Post](/source/South_China_Morning_Post)* (SCMP) revealed that Donald Tsang had written a letter the previous week to [Xi Jinping](/source/Xi_Jinping), vice-president [in charge of Hong Kong affairs](/source/Central_Leading_Group_on_Hong_Kong_and_Macau_Affairs). "The chief executive warned in the letter that Hong Kong could face a serious governance crisis if the electoral reform package was vetoed by Legco again, and his ability to govern Hong Kong effectively would be in doubt". The SCMP source said [Chinese Communist Party](/source/Chinese_Communist_Party) general secretary [Hu Jintao](/source/Hu_Jintao) personally approved the Democratic Party's proposals.[34] With the moderate democrats' support, the proposals were approved by the Legislative Council, making it the first and only electoral reform to be passed in the SAR history.

#### Minimum Wage legislation

Facing the increasing disparity between rich and poor in his term, Tsang set up a Minimum Wage Provisional Commission in February 2009 to research and eventually set a proposed wage floor.[35] The [Minimum Wage Bill](/source/Minimum_Wage_Ordinance) was passed on 15 July 2010 and a HK$28 (~US$3.60) per hour rate was recommended by the Provisional Minimum Wage Commission and adopted by the Chief Executive-in-Council on 10 November 2010.[36]

#### Corruption allegations

In the last months of his tenure, Tsang was embroiled in a series of corruption allegations. In February 2012 during the [Chief Executive election](/source/2012_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election) in which contender [Henry Tang](/source/Henry_Tang), the former [Chief Secretary](/source/Chief_Secretary_for_Administration) in Tsang's government suffered in wide range of scandals, Tsang was also discovered by the *[Oriental Daily News](/source/Oriental_Daily_News)* to have received favours and hospitality from business tycoons on various occasions, including private jet and yacht trips and was labelled as "Greedy Tsang".

The allegations of preferential allocation of a luxury three-storey penthouse in Shenzhen surfaced after Tsang addressed the press by saying that he and his wife had chosen to live in Shenzhen for a period after his retirement as they wanted to stay away from the limelight. Tsang was accused for allocating the Shenzhen penthouse owned by Bill Wong Cho-bau to Tsang in exchange for granting of a broadcasting licence to the Wong's [Digital Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Digital_Broadcasting_Corporation_(Hong_Kong)) (DBC, then Wave Media).[37] It was reported that Tsang was set to rent the flat at a substantially discounted rate while renovation works, provided by the developer, were tailored to the demands of Tsang's wife. Tsang argued that declaration was not necessary and that his lease did not affect the government's decision on granting the broadcasting licence to DBC. He also argued that the lease was at market value.[37]

Tsang was later summoned to answer questions from an open inquiry by the Legislative Council. This unprecedented revelations and move to impeach him launched by a pro-Beijing legislator [Paul Tse](/source/Paul_Tse) shook the confidence in integrity of the city's officials.[38] Tsang also set up an Independent Review Committee for the Prevention and Handling of Potential Conflicts of Interests chaired by former [Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal](/source/Chief_Justice_of_the_Court_of_Final_Appeal) [Andrew Li](/source/Andrew_Li) on 26 February 2012 to review the existing frameworks and procedures for preventing and handling of potential conflicts of interests concerning the Chief Executive and other top officials.

In the last month of his office, Tsang fought back tears as he offered "sincere apologies" on 1 June, when he said: "I know that my mishandling of the various events has undermined the community's confidence in the integrity of the system and has disappointed my colleagues in the civil service. For this I would like to, once again, offer my sincere apologies."[39] He stepped down as the Chief Executive on 30 June 2012 under the cloud of an investigation by the [Independent Commission Against Corruption](/source/Independent_Commission_Against_Corruption_(Hong_Kong)) (ICAC).[40] Compared to his predecessor [Tung Chee-hwa](/source/Tung_Chee-hwa) who was appointed vice-chairman of the [Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference](/source/Chinese_People's_Political_Consultative_Conference) (CPPCC) after stepping down as Chief Executive, Tsang was not appointed any position by the central government after his retirement.

## Conviction, imprisonment, and acquittal

On 5 October 2015, Tsang was charged with two counts of [misconduct in public office](/source/Misconduct_in_public_office) after failing to disclose plans to rent a luxury penthouse for his retirement from Bill Wong Cho-bau applying for a broadcasting licence for the [Digital Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Digital_Broadcasting_Corporation) (then Wave Media) by the [Independent Commission Against Corruption](/source/Independent_Commission_Against_Corruption_(Hong_Kong)) (ICAC), as well as failing to declare renowned interior designer Barrie Ho Chow-lai's engagement for decorating the penthouse when he recommended to the relevant government committee that Ho should receive an honour.[41][42] An extra count of accepting an advantage from an agent for violating the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance over the Shenzhen penthouse was added on 11 October 2016.[43]

After entering pleas of not guilty to all charges, his trial began before a jury on 10 January 2017.[44] On 17 February 2017, the jury found Tsang guilty on one charge of misconduct in public office over the penthouse rental and not guilty on the misconduct charge for the penthouse decoration, but failed to reach a verdict on the count of accepting an advantage from an agent.[45][46] He was sentenced to a 20-month imprisonment on 22 February 2017.[47] When he announced Tsang's sentence, Mr Justice [Andrew Chan Hing-wai](/source/Andrew_Chan_(judge)) said "never in my judicial career have I seen a man fallen from so high."[48]

On 24 April, Tsang granted bail by court after his health was fluctuating and had to be sent to the [Queen Mary Hospital](/source/Queen_Mary_Hospital_(Hong_Kong)).[49] Regarding the charge which had a guilty verdict, Tsang gets bail pending appeal.[50] Regarding the charge which "failed to reach a verdict", a retrial was carried out, and the Judge dismissed the retrial-jury on 3 November 2017 after they too were unable to reach a verdict.[51] Prosecution has not applied for a third trial.[52]

On 11 January 2019, Tsang was admitted to hospital for health reasons, a few days ahead of his scheduled release from prison.[53] On 15 January, Tsang was released from hospital and also from jail.[54] Upon his release, Tsang refused to compare his case with that of his successor Leung Chun-ying, who was also accused of corruption for his recipient of [HK$50 million from Australian firm UGL](/source/Leung_Chun-ying-UGL_agreement) without disclosure, even though Leung's case was dropped by the government in a controversial manner. "If I make comparisons, it may revive my anger and hatred in my heart. I have cleared these through working hard to pray and receive blessings from the heavens a few months ago," Tsang said. He also said he would persist in seeking justice and clear his name.[55]

On 26 June 2019, the [Court of Final Appeal](/source/Court_of_Final_Appeal_(Hong_Kong)) unanimously quashed his conviction and sentence, after finding that the trial judge had failed to direct his jurors properly.[10] The Court found that the trial court trial did not adequately instruct the jury on required elements of the crime.[56] Since Tsang was not convicted for bribery, the elements of "wilfulness" and "seriousness" in the misconduct in public office charge became especially important, and an adequate explanation was not given to the jury.[56] The Court also decided that the interests of justice did not require a new trial.[56]

As a result of his successful appeal, Tsang should be able to reclaim some of the estimated HK$40 to 50 million of legal costs over two trials and two appeals.[57] Tsang had said he and his wife spent almost all their savings on the lawsuit.[57] But Tsang is unlikely to reclaim his costs fully, including the initial trial and legal costs related to his investigation.[58][57] Another outcome of the appeal is that Tsang's entitlement to HK$80,000 a month in civil servants' pension will no longer be in jeopardy.[58] Retired Hong Kong civil servants could lose all or part of their pension if they were convicted of an offence related to their office, subject to the chief executive's approval.[57]

## Personal life

Donald Tsang and his wife, Selina, [Lady](/source/Courtesy_titles_in_the_United_Kingdom) Tsang, in 2008.

Tsang is the eldest of the five sons and one daughter. His younger brother [Tsang Yam-pui](/source/Tsang_Yam_Pui), retired as the [Police Commissioner](/source/Commissioner_of_Police_(Hong_Kong)) in December 2003, after a career with the police in which he worked his way up to the top job from the rank of Probationary Inspector. His younger sister Katherine Tsang is chairperson of [Standard Chartered Hong Kong](/source/Standard_Chartered_Hong_Kong).[59][60] He married Selina Pou Siu-mei in 1969 and has two sons, Simon Tsang Hing-yin and Thomas Tsang Hing-shun.

Tsang is a devout [Roman Catholic](/source/Catholic_Church) and goes to [Mass](/source/Mass_in_the_Catholic_Church) every morning, though his political viewpoints were bluntly criticised at times by [Joseph Cardinal Zen](/source/Joseph_Cardinal_Zen), who was the [Bishop of Hong Kong](/source/Roman_Catholic_Diocese_of_Hong_Kong) during Tsang's term as Chief Executive.[61]

Tsang is well known for his preference of wearing [bow-ties](/source/Bow_tie). According to [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press), "the bow tie is such an integral part of Tsang's identity that he is nicknamed "Bow-tie Tsang".[62] His nickname is widely known among Hong Kong people. According to a television interview, this preference started somewhere between 1988 and 1993, when Tsang's office was adjacent to Deputy Political Adviser [Stephen Bradley](/source/Stephen_Bradley_(diplomat)), who himself wore bow-ties. Tsang felt comfortable with a bow-tie Bradley gave him, saying that its design brings fewer hurdles to its wearer than a necktie.[63]

Tsang is well known for keeping [koi](/source/Koi). He had a pond built for them in the garden of his official residence, [Government House](/source/Government_House%2C_Hong_Kong), at a cost of HK$300,000.[64] His other hobbies include swimming, bird-watching and hiking.[65][66]

## Footnotes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-fn1_1-0)** Tsang became Acting Chief Executive on 12 March 2005 following Tung's resignation. Tsang stepped down from this role on 25 May 2005 to run in the [election](/source/2005_Hong_Kong_Chief_Executive_election) to succeed Tung; [Henry Tang](/source/Henry_Tang) became Acting Chief Executive until Tsang was appointed Chief Executive on 21 June 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-knighthood_9-0)** Donald Tsang was appointed a KBE in 1997 for the 30-year service to Hong Kong,[3][4] and therefore entitled to use the title of "Sir". Tsang, however, chooses not to use the title in an official capacity.[5] If the knighthood is used in the title, the individual shall be called (The Honourable) Sir Donald Tsang.[6][7]

## See also

- [Politics of Hong Kong](/source/Politics_of_Hong_Kong)

- [List of bow tie wearers](/source/List_of_bow_tie_wearers)

- [List of heads of regimes who were later imprisoned](/source/List_of_heads_of_regimes_who_were_later_imprisoned)

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-55)** ["Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang taken to hospital ahead of release from prison"](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2181822/former-hong-kong-leader-donald-tsang-taken-hospital). SCMP. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-56)** ["Former Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang says time with wife is top priority after completing 12-month jail term for misconduct in public office"](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2182058/disgraced-former-hong-kong-leader-donald-tsang-freed). SCMP. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-57)** ["Ex-Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang released from jail, vows to persist in 'seeking justice'"](https://www.hongkongfp.com/2019/01/15/ex-hong-kong-leader-donald-tsang-released-jail-vows-persist-seeking-justice/). *Hong Kong Free Press*. 15 January 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_58-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_58-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_58-2) ["Donald Tsang wins final appeal against criminal misconduct sentence"](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3016085/vindication-former-hong-kong-chief-executive-donald). *South China Morning Post*. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_59-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_59-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_59-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_59-3) ["What now for Donald Tsang after quashed misconduct conviction?"](https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3016235/what-now-hong-kong-former-chief-executive-donald-tsang). *South China Morning Post*. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_60-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_60-1) Standard, The. ["Counting the cost of agonizing $40m struggle"](https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/209083/Counting-the-cost-of-agonizing-$40m-struggle). *The Standard*. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-61)** [Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited Appoints Katherine Tsang as New Chairperson](http://www.standardchartered.com.hk/news/2011/press_20110110.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110725082026/http://www.standardchartered.com.hk/news/2011/press_20110110.pdf) 25 July 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), SCB press release, 10 January 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-62)** [Tsang sister moves up the ladder](http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=106904&sid=30866093&con_type=1&d_str=20110111&fc=4) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110629202318/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=106904&sid=30866093&con_type=1&d_str=20110111&fc=4) 29 June 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), *The Standard*, 11 January 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-63)** ["Donald Tsang's faith is no guarantee of good leadership, says Bishop Zen"](http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Donald-Tsang%27s-faith-is-no-guarantee-of-good-leadership,-says-Bishop-Zen-2755.html). *AsiaNews.it*. 12 March 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** [\[1\]](http://www.theage.com.au/news/fashion/tsang-loves-his-bow-ties/2005/07/12/1120934222121.html) No byline, "Tsang loves his bow ties", article attributed to the Associated Press appearing in *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*, July 15, 2005, accessed January 18, 2007

1. **[^](#cite_ref-65)** Episode 17, [Be My Guest](/source/Be_My_Guest_(talk_show)), originally broadcast on 23 September 2006

1. **[^](#cite_ref-66)** ["Scales of fortune"](https://www.scmp.com/article/603228/scales-fortune). *South China Morning Post*. 7 August 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-67)** ["The Hon Donald Tsang, GBM – Chief Executive – Hong Kong Special Administrative Region"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170425030629/http://www.hkfederation.org.hk/forum/forum2011/programme/CV/2nd_Lucheon_Donald_Tsang.pdf) (PDF). *The 12th Hong Kong Forum*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hkfederation.org.hk/forum/forum2011/programme/CV/2nd_Lucheon_Donald_Tsang.pdf) (PDF) on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-68)** ["BIG SPENDER：誰趕走了家燕"](http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/financeestate/art/20130110/18128914). *蘋果日報*. 10 January 2013.

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Donald Tsang](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Donald_Tsang)***.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Donald Tsang](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Donald_Tsang).

- [Official Biography about Tsang](https://web.archive.org/web/20080512015438/http://www.ceo.gov.hk/eng/biography.htm)

- [BBC News: Profile: Donald Tsang](https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4335331.stm)

- [Corpus of Political Speeches](https://digital.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/corpus/) : Free access to political speeches by Donald Tsang and other Chinese politicians, developed by Hong Kong Baptist University Library

Government offices Preceded by Yeung Kai-yin Secretary for the Treasury 1993–1995 Succeeded by Kwong Ki-chi Preceded by Hamish Macleod Financial Secretary of Hong Kong 1995–2001 Succeeded by Antony Leung Political offices Preceded by Anson Chan Chief Secretary for Administration 2001–2005 Succeeded by Rafael Hui Preceded by Tung Chee-hwa Chief Executive of Hong Kong 2005–2012 Succeeded by Leung Chun-ying President of Executive Council 2005–2012 Order of precedence Preceded by Tung Chee-hwa Former Chief Executives Hong Kong order of precedence Former Chief Executives Succeeded by Leung Chun-ying Former Chief Executives

v t e Chief Executive of Hong Kong Officeholders Tung Chee-hwa (1997–2005) Donald Tsang (2005–2012) Leung Chun-ying (2012–2017) Carrie Lam (2017–2022) John Lee (2022–present) Administrations First Tung government Second Tung government First Tsang government Second Tsang government Leung government Lam government Lee government Related offices Executive Council Office of the Chief Executive Central Policy Unit Efficiency Office Related pages Chief Executive's Chinese New Year Message Government House

v t e Candidates in the 2007 Hong Kong Chief Executive election Winner Donald Tsang (Nonpartisan) Loser Alan Leong (Civic)

v t e Candidates in the 2005 Hong Kong Chief Executive election Winner Donald Tsang (Nonpartisan) Not nominated Lee Wing-tat (Democratic) Chim Pui-chung (Nonpartisan)

v t e Chief secretaries for administration Chief Secretary for Administration: Eric Chan Subordinate departments Administration Wing Legal Aid Department Human Resources Planning and Poverty Co-ordination Unit Previous office holders* Malcolm Morrison Wright-Bruce Caine Mercer Austin Marsh Stewart Fleming O'Brien Lockhart May Barnes Severn Southorn Smith Gimson MacDougall Nicoll Black David Burgess Teesdale Gass Norman-Walker Roberts Cater Haddon-Cave Akers-Jones Ford A. Chan Tsang Hui Tang S. Lam C. Lam Cheung Lee E. Chan * Includes Chief Secretaries and Colonial Secretaries

v t e Financial secretaries of Hong Kong Financial Secretary: Paul Chan Subordinate departments Office of the Government Economist Hong Kong Monetary Authority Previous office holders * Martin Mercer Forth C. C. Smith Russell Lister Mitchell-Innes T. S. Smith Thomson Messer Taylor Caine Butters Follows Clarke Cowperthwaite Haddon-Cave Bremridge Jacobs Macleod D. Tsang Leung Tang J. Tsang Chan * Includes previous colonial treasurers

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States Netherlands People Trove Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Donald Tsang](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Tsang) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Tsang?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.