Hong Kong Chinese-language newspapers splashed front pages Monday with Donald Tsang's overwhelming victory in the election of the third-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and carried editorials on Tsang's "high nominations, high votes and high popularity".

The editorials said that Tsang's victory reflects the mainstream will of the people in Hong Kong. The editorials all expressed their expectations that Tsang can fully carry out his policy outline and hold all works of the society together to reap greater achievements in promoting prosperity and stability in Hong Kong.

Wen Wei Po said in its editorial that the election outcome, which basically tallied with the results of opinion polls with more than 80 percent of the supporting ballots, testifies the members of the Election Committee are able to represent and reflect public opinions. The result reflects that most members of the Election Committee respect, obey and represent the will of the citizens while the citizens support Tsang rationally and fairly.

The editorial said the cause of Tsang's victory owes to his administrative experience and capability, intimate relationship with the central government and practical blueprint of Hong Kong's economical development.

It said Tsang has to face three tasks after the election. The first is to grasp the opportunity to push the development of Hong Kong. The second is to upgrade the living standard of the people and promote a harmonious society. The third is to solve problems and work towards the goal of constitutional development.

Ta Kung Pao said in its editorial that 82 percent of the rating in the opinion poll before the election made the 649 members of the Election Committee more confident when voting for the chief executive. The outcome fully reflects people's expectation to have a chief executive in the next five years who not only has a clear understanding of economics and people's livelihood, but also has the governing experience and capability.

Hong Kong Commercial Daily said in its editorial that Tsang's landslide victory shows the different supporting rates between the two contenders. Tsang's 649 votes is the natural results of "high popularity". With regard to his achievements in the past, his policy philosophy and his capability, Tsang is the only choice for rational citizens and members of the Election Committee.

It said Tsang exhibits relatively strong capabilities in administrative management as well as due responsibility to the country and Hong Kong. His election program displays his thorough and deep consideration to the problems existing in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Daily News said in its editorial that Tsang has won not only the election, but also the popularity. Tsang's victory is reasonable, which makes it easy for him to carry out his policy outline in the next five years.

Sing Tao Daily News said in its editorial that Tsang's "high nominations, high votes and high popularity" is conducive to solve problems he will meet in the next five years. The result indicates the public is tired of years of quarreling and disputes, and therefore expects the SAR government to take concrete efforts to face challenges.

Tsang beat Alan Leon, his only contender, 649 to 123 in the chief executive election on Sunday. According to the Basic Law, the HKSAR chief executive is elected by the broadly representative Election Committee and then appointed by the central people's government.

After the appointment of the central people's government, the elected will become the third-term chief executive of the HKSAR, with his term of office starting on July 1, 2007 and ending on June 30, 2012.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)