Tsang pledges fight to the end

Top officials stand up for Chief Executive Donald Tsang as he steps out of the hall after finishing his last question and answer session in the LegCo on June 14. [Photo by Edmond Tang / China Daily]

Chief Executive Donald Tsang made his last appearance before the Legislative Council on June 14, vowing to stay on the job to ensure a smooth transition, while opposition legislators called for him to resign.

The outgoing city leader attended his last question and answer session at LegCo on Thursday and concluded that most of his 170 promises made in his election platform four years ago have been fulfilled. But the top man admitted his seven-year venture was not perfect.

"I understand my work has not been wholly satisfactory. There were errors in judgment, and failings in execution," he told the legislature.

Memories of widespread underwater homeowners during late 1990s, he recalled, influenced him "excessively" and prevented him from making swift decisions to boost land supply and relaunch of Home Ownership Scheme.

He attributed a miscalculation on reaction to the introduction of undersecretaries and political assistants in 2008, which had led to a drop in his popularity. "I have paid the political price, but I still think it is essential for the democratic progress." he said.

Though the income gap has showed little sign of retreat, Tsang maintained the establishment of the Community Care Fund and numerous one-off handouts have made lives easier for many people.

He particularly recalled it was an "extremely exciting moment in my life" when LegCo passed the minimum wage bill. He added, however, that a total cure of poverty will remain an enduring challenge for future administrations.

"To me, criticism is part of the achievement (since) it indicated progress of the society and government," he said. "I believe my merits and demerits are whether I have done a good job as a Chief Executive — the judgment should be left to everyone else."

Nonetheless, opposition lawmakers were more interested in raising matters of Tsang's integrity, which had been stained by reports of private jet rides and stays in presidential suites, that surfaced in the past three months.

Emily Lau Wai-hing from the Democratic Party was among a number of lawmakers calling on Tsang to quit. "You appeared to be somehow choking back tears as to show your regret, but the public told us it was not enough," she said to Tsang.

Repeatedly, Tsang stated his determination to stay. "I will race against time in the remaining 16 days to complete the tasks. I cannot leave the position, or I will let Hong Kong people down."

He stressed his lessons were well learned and he will no longer make trips to Macao with the so-called "rich guys".

"Because of my personal faith, I reflect every day and have spent a little more time every night on my reflection in the past three months," he said. "What I need to do now is to learn from the mistakes, improve the system as far as possible and rebuild public confidence in the integrity of the government."

As several bills still hang at LegCo, Tsang insisted he would stay in office until the "very last second". He also urged the lawmakers to stop filibustering and clear the way for the incoming administration of Leung Chun-ying.

Threats from the Eurozone debt crisis still linger, but Tsang said he believes the city will be in good hands, "Chief Executive must respond properly to changes. I am very confident with Mr Leung on that