YOU CAN'T BE BOTH A DEVOUT CATHOLIC AND A COMMUNIST APPARATCHIK:

Hong Kong's Likely Next Leader Different (WILLIAM FOREMAN, 3/10/05, Associated Press)

The man expected to be Hong Kong's next leader might seem like an unlikely person to be running a place that belongs to China — the world's biggest communist nation.

Donald Tsang is a devout Roman Catholic who holds a British knighthood for his decades of service to the territory's former colonial rulers. But he doesn't like to be called "Sir Donald," and he's proven himself to be a loyal civil servant since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.

He's different from outgoing leader Tung Chee-hwa, who announced his resignation Thursday, in many important ways. Tung was born in Shanghai, the son of a shipping tycoon. Tsang, 60, is a native Hong Konger with a more humble background whose father was a policeman.

Tsang is a natty dresser who wears colorful bow ties. When Hong Kong returned to China, he added another fashion accessory: a lapel pin featuring the flags of China and Hong Kong — a symbol of his commitment to his new master.

Still, some pro-Beijing critics believe he's too partial to the West, and they're suspicious of his cordial ties to some leading pro-democracy lawmakers.

The Pope needs to pay him a visit.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 16, 2005 7:41 AM