Leung sworn in as Chief Executive

Leung Chun-ying took office yesterday as Hong Kong’s third chief executive since 1997.

Leung was sworn in by Chinese President Hu Jintao along with the city’s new principal government officials. Leung then swore in Executive Council members at the Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Leung said his government would start working right away to keep the promises he made during his election. He takes over amid rising public anger over a widening income gap; skyrocketing property prices and resentment about mainland China's growing influence over Hong Kong.

His promised reforms include narrowing Hong Kong's inequality and increasing the supply of affordable housing. Leung also plans to organize an anti-poverty commission.

Outside the venue, however, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Wan Chai and asked Leung to step down.

Some protesters burnt effigies of Leung and said he is unfit to be Hong Kong's leader because of his very close ties to Beijing. They also accused the Communist Party of interfering in Hong Kong’s internal affairs. Leung is alleged to be a member of the Communist Party.

The son of a policeman, Leung’s was born on Aug 12, 1954 in Hong Kong. He has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by four universities in the UK, Hong Kong and Shandong.

Former Chief Executive Donald Tsang said it has been a supreme honour to serve Hong Kong and he has counted each of the 2,567 days in office as a great blessing.

“We aimed for a perfect ending. But, of course, some lines just don’t rhyme. Yet, this great poem called Hong Kong will continue to touch readers of many generations to come,” he said.