Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is a Hong Kong politician and civil servant

 

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen is a Hong Kong politician and civil servant who served as the second Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China from 2005 to 2012. Born on October 7, 1944, in Hong Kong, Tsang joined the Hong Kong Civil Service in 1967 and gained extensive experience in various sectors, including finance, trade, and administration.

Tsang played a crucial role in the negotiations with China regarding the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. He was appointed Financial Secretary of Hong Kong in 1995, becoming the first ethnic Chinese to hold the position under British administration. During the Asian financial crisis in 1998, Tsang defended the Hong Kong dollar's peg to the U.S. dollar, maintaining financial stability in the region.

In 2001, Tsang became the Chief Secretary for Administration, the second-highest ranking official in the HKSAR government. After the resignation of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa in 2005, Tsang ran for the position and won, serving the remaining term until 2007. He was re-elected in 2007, serving a full five-year term until he stepped down in 2012.

During his tenure as Chief Executive, Tsang focused on economic development, education reform, and environmental protection. He also implemented measures to increase transparency and accountability in government, including the introduction of a ministerial system and the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption.

One of Tsang's notable decisions was to return to the renovated Government House, the official residence of the Chief Executive, during his first term. The building had been previously used by the British colonial governors and was seen as a symbol of Hong Kong's colonial past. Tsang's decision was seen as a move to reconnect with Hong Kong's history and cultural heritage.

Tsang's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is credited with maintaining Hong Kong's economic stability and promoting its position as a global financial center. However, his administration was also criticized for its handling of several high-profile corruption cases and its response to the 2008 financial crisis.

After stepping down as Chief Executive in 2012, Tsang was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his contributions to Hong Kong and its relations with the United Kingdom. He has remained active in public life, serving as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and engaging in various philanthropic and educational initiatives.