InfoAnda - China frets as choice for Hong Kong leader strays off script |

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Ed Gordon To Interview Condoleeza Rice On BET | 15 October 2010
Yani Tseng in driver's seat with five shot lead at Wegman's LPGA championship | 26 June 2011
UN expert receives claims of prison abuse in Iran | 14 August 2009

Iran FM condems US raid on solidarity visit to Syria | 3 November 2008

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : China frets as choice for Hong Kong leader strays off script |

Edition: U.S. Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Home Business Business Home Economy Technology Media Small Business Legal Deals Earnings Summits Business Video The Freeland File Markets Markets Home U.S. Markets European Markets Asian Markets Global Market Data Indices M&A Stocks Bonds Currencies Commodities Futures Funds peHUB World World Home U.S. Brazil China Euro Zone Japan Mexico Russia India Insight World Video Reuters Investigates Decoder Politics Politics Home Election 2012 Issues 2012 Candidates 2012 Tales from the Trail Political Punchlines Supreme Court Politics Video Tech Technology Home MediaFile Science Tech Video Tech Tonic Opinion Opinion Home Chrystia Freeland John Lloyd Felix Salmon Jack Shafer David Rohde Bernd Debusmann Nader Mousavizadeh Lucy P. Marcus David Cay Johnston Bethany McLean Edward Hadas Hugo Dixon Ian Bremmer Mohamed El-Erian Lawrence Summers Susan Glasser The Great Debate Steven Brill Jack & Suzy Welch Breakingviews Equities Credit Private Equity M&A Macro & Markets Politics Breakingviews Video Money Money Home Tax Break Global Investing MuniLand Unstructured Finance Linda Stern Mark Miller John Wasik James Saft Analyst Research Alerts Watchlist Portfolio Stock Screener Fund Screener Personal Finance Video Money Clip Investing 201 Life Health Sports Arts Faithworld Business Traveler Entertainment Oddly Enough Lifestyle Video Pictures Pictures Home Reuters Photographers Full Focus Video Reuters TV Reuters News Article Comments (0) Full Focus Editor's choice Our best photos from the last 24 hours. Full Article Images of January Best photos of the year 2011 Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Five dead in shooting at spa in Atlanta suburb 21 Feb 2012 White House seeks to deflect blame over rising gas prices 21 Feb 2012 CIA to software vendors: A revolution is coming 21 Feb 2012 Afghans vent fury over Koran burning, U.S. apologizes | 21 Feb 2012 UN watchdog says nuclear talks with Iran failed 2:53am EST Discussed 175 REFILE-Al Gore takes aim at ”unsustainable” capitalism 168 Santorum says Obama agenda not ”based on Bible” 147 Romney’s struggles fuel talk of brokered convention Watched Orange battle in Northern Italy Tue, Feb 21 2012 Strauss-Kahn held by police in French prostitution probe Tue, Feb 21 2012 Carnival revelers swarm Ipanema Beach Mon, Feb 20 2012 China frets as choice for Hong Kong leader strays off script Tweet Share this Email Print Related News Alibaba bids to take listed unit private for $2.5 billion Tue, Feb 21 2012 China's Xi sells U.S. trade elixir, personal chemistry Sat, Feb 18 2012 Xi waves off China economy fears, triggers deals Fri, Feb 17 2012 Obama takes fresh aim at China, touts "insourcing" Wed, Feb 15 2012 China leader-in-waiting Xi woos and warns U.S Wed, Feb 15 2012 Analysis & Opinion China’s Ten Kingdoms era has lesson for euro zone Five phases of China hard-landing denial Related Topics World » China » By James Pomfret and Sisi Tang HONG KONG | Wed Feb 22, 2012 2:27am EST HONG KONG (Reuters) - A political storm that has rocked the candidacy of the frontrunner to become Hong Kong's next leader poses a delicate challenge for Beijing, and in particular for the man expected to take over as China's president in 2013. Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997, has been abuzz this past week over an illegal construction scandal engulfing Henry Tang, a wealthy tycoon and former senior government official long seen as Beijing's favored successor to the bowtie-wearing Donald Tsang. "To be honest, for the central government, this is a real headache now," said a member of the election committee that selects the Hong Kong chief executive, speaking on condition of anonymity. "If they select Tang now, this will be very different from what the people want. The governance will be very weak and there may be another mass protest." Late last year, Tang, 59, seemed to be coasting. Under the aegis of China's top leaders, he was the man with the pro-business credentials, experience and accommodative style to ensure continuity and stability in the affluent and influential financial hub nestled on China's southern coast. But Tang's public support has plummeted in the past few months. Allegations of extra-marital affairs and, more recently, the illegal construction of a "palatial" basement and wine cellar beneath a family-owned villa have battered public confidence in his integrity and ability to govern. All this is an unwelcome distraction for Xi Jinping, the man expected to emerge from a watershed leadership transition late this year as China's leader for the next decade. Xi is currently Beijing's point person on Hong Kong and Macau affairs. Thus far, it appears Beijing still backs Tang, but grudgingly. TICKING CLOCK While Hong Kong's chief executives are more like mayors and generally lack the influence of China's frontline leaders, a poor leader can stoke risks and unnerve Beijing, which prefers stable transitions. China will want to avoid a repeat of the scenario that hit the first post-handover administration of Tung Chee-hwa. Tung -- a wooden, unpopular chief executive -- triggered deep resentment and a massive half-million strong protest in 2003 that ultimately forced him from office mid-term. The clock is ticking. On March, 25, the elite 1,200-member election committee, largely handpicked by Beijing, will convene to choose the city's next leader. Tight electoral rules and the dominance of Beijing loyalists on the election committee, rather than opposition democrats, have provided China's Communist Party rulers a high degree of control over the choice of candidates and the outcome. This time, however, some analysts say Tang's missteps have loosened Beijing's grip over a carefully orchestrated process. "This is something they did not predict," said Jin Zhong, the editor of Open Magazine, an independent Hong Kong publication that specializes in greater China politics and current affairs. "When we see this kind of situation emerge from this election, it's Beijing losing control." Yet faced with bigger challenges such as an economic slowdown, Beijing seems to be opting for damage control rather than outright abandonment right now. In short, it is hoping the scandal will blow over. Indeed, the pro-Beijing newspapers in Hong Kong gave upbeat banner-headline coverage to the bespectacled and wine-loving Tang this week when he formally submitted his nomination, backed by nearly a quarter of the election committee, including business tycoons such as Li Ka-shing. STILL TANG FOR NOW With a feisty pro-democracy opposition camp agitating for full democracy, China's stability-obsessed leaders have long viewed Hong Kong with suspicion as a potential base for spreading broader dissent and democratic reforms in mainland China, making it paramount to have a leader they can trust. Vice President Xi, who just went on a profile-raising visit to the United States, and other senior leaders will ultimately have to sign off on any decision on Tang, possibly during a scheduled parliamentary meeting this week. If Beijing did pull its support for Tang it would throw Hong Kong's leadership race wide open, leaving it with a conundrum of finding an acceptable and capable replacement at short notice. It would also have to downplay public suspicions the entire electoral process is being puppeteered up north. "It's very obvious that Beijing is still favoring Henry Tang," said Allen Lee, a former member of China's parliament, the National People's Congress. Tang's main rival since late last year has been prominent surveyor and former government advisor Leung Chun-ying. However, Leung's independent policy vision and brash style make him a less predictable option for Beijing and the business elite. The opposition Democratic Party Chairman Albert Ho also is vying for the top job, while other potential candidates could include unpopular former security chief Regina Ip and veteran pro-Beijing politician Tsang Yok-sing. With a lack of other trusted alternatives and time running out some observers say Beijing will opt for Tang, but he must focus on swiftly winning over the public. Lee, a Hong Kong political veteran and pundit, thinks this is still possible if Tang doles out policy sweeteners, including greater welfare for the elderly, and boosts public housing. "There are about 1.3 million people below the poverty line. If he is able to do that, I think within six months he should be able to turn his popularity around," Lee said. (Editing by Brian Rhoads and Alex Richardson) World China Tweet this Link this Share this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. Edition: U.S. Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom Back to top Reuters.com Business Markets World Politics Technology Opinion Money Pictures Videos Site Index Legal Bankruptcy Law California Legal New York Legal Securities Law Support & Contact Support Corrections Advertise With Us Connect with Reuters Twitter Facebook LinkedIn RSS Podcast Newsletters Mobile About Privacy Policy Terms of Use Copyright Our Flagship financial information platform incorporating Reuters Insider An ultra-low latency infrastructure for electronic trading and data distribution A connected approach to governance, risk and compliance Our next generation legal research platform Our global tax workstation Thomsonreuters.com About Thomson Reuters Investor Relations Careers Contact Us Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Venezuela's Chavez to have another operation |
Putin woos police with wage promises ahead of poll |
Exclusive: Algeria to allow foreign NGOs to monitor vote |
Dell revenue slightly above Wall Street view |
Alcatel boss yearns for his rivals' margins |
SBA Communications buys tower sites for $1 billion |
Chris Brown earns musical redemption from Rihanna |
The Help: Bold, black and bidding for Oscar glory |
Descendants, Midnight in Paris win Writers Guild Awards |
Rules, schmules! Oscar hopefuls work around new guidelines |
U.S. Embassy in Kabul on lockdown amid protests |
UN watchdog says nuclear talks with Iran failed |
Australian foreign minister quits in leadership crisis |
U.S. signals possibility of arming Syrian rebels |
Gunshots, explosions heard in Nigeria's Kano |
Tibetans mark new year under shadow of immolations |
Two wounded as riot, fire hits jail on Indonesia's Bali |
China frets as choice for Hong Kong leader strays off script |
Venezuela's Chavez needs another operation |
Insight: India's Wild East unprepared for new Myanmar |
Chinese firm seeks halt of iPad sales in Shanghai |
Apple shareholders to meet as stock at record high |
Cloud computing report slams Brazil, India, China |
Kim Dotcom wins bail in fight against U.S. extradition |
CIA to software vendors: A revolution is coming |
Alibaba.com shares surge on parent plans to privatize |
Olympus says India exec likely had no ties to scandal |
GPS attacks risk maritime disaster, trading chaos |
Jackson concert promoters out of Joe Jackson lawsuit |
Comcast to take on Netflix with Web video service |
Adele adds to awards haul at triumphant BRITs |
Film studio sues to prevent more Godfather books |
Prosecutors want Michael Jackson doctor kept in jail |
U.S., French journalists killed in Syria |
Libya court orders civil trial for Gaddafi loyalists |
Ethiopian troops seize key Somali rebel bastion |
Chavez surgery unsettles Venezuela ahead of election |
Pakistan vows to support not lead Afghan peace drive |
Merkel blunder a harbinger of change in Germany? |
Mubarak's trial leaves Egypt with open wounds |
Four more bodies found on Italian cruise liner |
Rise in identity fraud tied to smartphone use |
Dell shares fall on weak sales forecast |
Microsoft files E.U. complaint over Motorola Mobility |
Nokia to unveil cheaper Windows smartphone: sources |
Has the battery run out on India's $35 tablet computer? |
Top Olympus lender denies board ambush, but may fill chair |
Dodging motorcycle crashes makes a star of movie insurer |
A Minute With: Uggie, scene-stealing star of The Artist |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01