Tsang Yok-sing
Encyclopedia
Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, GBS
JP
was the founding Chairman (1992–2003) of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
(DAB), the largest pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong
.
Since 1997 he has been at the forefront of the pro-Beijing party's move to a 'grass roots' focus.
In October 2008, he was appointed President of Legislative Council
.
, Secretary for Home Affairs
of Hong Kong, most notable for his participation in the Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riots.
and graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1968. He later trained as a teacher at the University of Hong Kong and began his teaching career at Pui Kiu Middle School, a "pro-Beijing" secondary school. He obtained a master's degree in education in 1983, and worked up to become the principal of the school in 1986. In 1998 he left his position at the school to become a full-time politician.
.
He became a member of the Conference's national committee in 1993. He took an active part in the consultative activities when the Hong Kong Basic Law
was drafted in the late 1980s and was subsequently appointed to the committee responsible for the preparatory work for the establishment of Hong Kong.
He was also a Council Member of the Open University of Hong Kong
, a non-executive director
of the Securities and Futures Commission, and the Supervisor of Pui Kiu Middle School
, where he formerly served as the principal. He was also the supervisor of a newly established direct-subsidised school, the Pui Kiu College.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Legislative Council in 1995, with his loss being blamed on revelations that he had secured Canadian
passports for his wife and children, leading to accusations from political opponents that he could leave for Canada if the 1997 handover did not go well.
Tsang is elected into the Legislative Council to represent the Kowloon West constituency in a direct election. Following the DAB's setback in the District Council elections in November 2003
, he resigned the DAB chairmanship.
In 2008 Tsang was elected to be President of the Legislative Council by the newly elected legislators from the 2008 election
.
In 2010, he was called on to resign from the post of president of Legco for breaching the required neutrality of the role by speaking in support of the government's constitutional reform bill.
in 1992. His party supports the Government in the majority of public policies. Most notably, the DAB was largely supportive of the Government's controversial proposed legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law
.
This drew heavy criticism from the pro-democracy camp
and was the major target of the 1 July 2003 protest march by 500,000 Hong Kongers. After the mass protest, Tsang opined that many of those who took to the streets had been misled. The comment caused widespread anger among the public, and although Tsang publicly apologised a few days later, his image and his party's popularity were severely affected.
Tsang shouldered the responsibility for the poor performance of his party in the 2003 District Council election, and resigned from the party's chairmanship in December 2003, to be succeeded by Ma Lik
. Jasper Tsang made the following statement:
Fellow DAB vice-chairman Lau Kong-wah stated that the public was interested in this disclosure. Leung Kwok-hung
and Albert Chan
also stated that being a LegCo president is a sober business and that people cannot be misled and lied to. While the Communist party has classified the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
as a counter-revolutionary riot, and has never made a full disclosure about the events. Jasper Tsang himself have said that "suppressing students was surely wrong."
Gold Bauhinia Star
The Gold Bauhinia Star is the highest rank in Order of the Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong, created in 1997 to replace the British honours system of the Order of the British Empire after the transfer of sovereignty to People's Republic of China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special...
JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
was the founding Chairman (1992–2003) of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong , formerly known as Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, is the largest pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong...
(DAB), the largest pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
Since 1997 he has been at the forefront of the pro-Beijing party's move to a 'grass roots' focus.
In October 2008, he was appointed President of Legislative Council
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
.
Brother
He is the elder brother of Tsang Tak-singTsang Tak-sing
Tsang Tak Sing, JP is the Secretary for Home Affairs of Hong Kong. Formerly an adviser to the Central Policy Unit, he assumed office on 1 July 2007, replacing Patrick Ho. He is the younger brother of Jasper Tsang, who was the legislative councillor and former chairman of the Democratic Alliance...
, Secretary for Home Affairs
Secretary for Home Affairs
The Secretary for Home Affairs is the head of the Home Affairs Bureau of the Government of Hong Kong, which is responsible for local issues, and the provision of community, leisure, and cultural services.-List of office holders:*Donald Luddington 1971-1973...
of Hong Kong, most notable for his participation in the Hong Kong 1967 Leftist Riots.
Biography
Tsang received his primary and secondary education at St. Paul's CollegeSt. Paul's College, Hong Kong
St. Paul's College is an Anglican day school for boys in Mid Levels, Hong Kong and is located adjacent to University of Hong Kong. Established in 1851, it is the oldest secondary school in Hong Kong that is still in operation...
and graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1968. He later trained as a teacher at the University of Hong Kong and began his teaching career at Pui Kiu Middle School, a "pro-Beijing" secondary school. He obtained a master's degree in education in 1983, and worked up to become the principal of the school in 1986. In 1998 he left his position at the school to become a full-time politician.
Career
Tsang's involvement in politics began in 1976, when he was appointed a member of the Guangdong provincial committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative ConferenceChinese People's Political Consultative Conference
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...
.
He became a member of the Conference's national committee in 1993. He took an active part in the consultative activities when the Hong Kong Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...
was drafted in the late 1980s and was subsequently appointed to the committee responsible for the preparatory work for the establishment of Hong Kong.
He was also a Council Member of the Open University of Hong Kong
Open University of Hong Kong
The Open University of Hong Kong is a Hong Kong university providing sub-degree, degree and postgraduate courses leading to awards and qualifications principally through a system of open access and distance education....
, a non-executive director
Non-executive director
A non-executive director or outside director is a member of the board of directors of a company who does not form part of the executive management team. He or she is not an employee of the company or affiliated with it in any other way...
of the Securities and Futures Commission, and the Supervisor of Pui Kiu Middle School
Pui Kiu Middle School
Pui Kiu Middle School ' is a leftist/communist secondary school in Hong Kong. Located in the Eastern District area of North Point, it has attracted controversy.-History:...
, where he formerly served as the principal. He was also the supervisor of a newly established direct-subsidised school, the Pui Kiu College.
He ran unsuccessfully for the Legislative Council in 1995, with his loss being blamed on revelations that he had secured Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
passports for his wife and children, leading to accusations from political opponents that he could leave for Canada if the 1997 handover did not go well.
Tsang is elected into the Legislative Council to represent the Kowloon West constituency in a direct election. Following the DAB's setback in the District Council elections in November 2003
Hong Kong district councils election, 2003
The 2003 Hong Kong District Councils election was held on 23 November 2003. Election was held to all 18 districts of Hong Kong, for 400 members from directly elected constituencies out of total 534 council members, the second district councils election after the handover of Hong Kong in 1997...
, he resigned the DAB chairmanship.
In 2008 Tsang was elected to be President of the Legislative Council by the newly elected legislators from the 2008 election
Hong Kong legislative election, 2008
The 2008 Hong Kong legislative election was held on 7 September 2008 for the 4th Legislative Council since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. There are 60 seats in the 4th Council, with 30 Members elected by geographical constituencies through direct elections, and...
.
In 2010, he was called on to resign from the post of president of Legco for breaching the required neutrality of the role by speaking in support of the government's constitutional reform bill.
Pro-Beijing DAB
Tsang was the founder of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong KongDemocratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong , formerly known as Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, is the largest pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong...
in 1992. His party supports the Government in the majority of public policies. Most notably, the DAB was largely supportive of the Government's controversial proposed legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law
Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23
Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23 is the basis of a security law proposed by the Government of Hong Kong. It states:On 24 September 2002 the government released its proposals for the anti-subversion law. It is the cause of considerable controversy and division in Hong Kong, which operates as a...
.
This drew heavy criticism from the pro-democracy camp
Pro-democracy camp
Pro-democracy camp, pan-democracy camp or pan-democrats refer to the politicians and social activists in Hong Kong who support increased democracy and may work together in areas of common interest or by not fielding candidates against one another in elections.Democratic activists are usually...
and was the major target of the 1 July 2003 protest march by 500,000 Hong Kongers. After the mass protest, Tsang opined that many of those who took to the streets had been misled. The comment caused widespread anger among the public, and although Tsang publicly apologised a few days later, his image and his party's popularity were severely affected.
Tsang shouldered the responsibility for the poor performance of his party in the 2003 District Council election, and resigned from the party's chairmanship in December 2003, to be succeeded by Ma Lik
Ma Lik
Ma Lik, GBS, JP , was a Legislative Councillor, and was the Chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong , a pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong.-Education:...
. Jasper Tsang made the following statement:
Fellow DAB vice-chairman Lau Kong-wah stated that the public was interested in this disclosure. Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung
Leung Kwok-hung , also known as Long Hair , is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong , a founding member of the League of Social Democrats and a democratic political activist.-Biography:Leung is a self-proclaimed Trotskyist and a member of April Fifth Action, a radical socialist...
and Albert Chan
Albert Chan
The Honourable Albert Wai-yip Chan , born 3 March 1955 in Hong Kong) is a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong representing the New Territories West constituency, except for the periods 1997-2000 and Jan-May 2011. Chan is also a member of the Tsuen Wan District Council...
also stated that being a LegCo president is a sober business and that people cannot be misled and lied to. While the Communist party has classified the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese , were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China beginning on 15 April 1989...
as a counter-revolutionary riot, and has never made a full disclosure about the events. Jasper Tsang himself have said that "suppressing students was surely wrong."
See also
- Politics of Hong KongPolitics of Hong KongPolitics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by its constitutional document, the Basic Law of Hong Kong, its own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a multi-party system...
- Tsang Tak-singTsang Tak-singTsang Tak Sing, JP is the Secretary for Home Affairs of Hong Kong. Formerly an adviser to the Central Policy Unit, he assumed office on 1 July 2007, replacing Patrick Ho. He is the younger brother of Jasper Tsang, who was the legislative councillor and former chairman of the Democratic Alliance...
- Yeung KwongYeung KwongYeung Kwong, GBM is a Hong Kong Communist activist and murderer in the 1960s. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2001, when the Hong Kong government was under chief executive Tung Chee-Hwa, who has close ties to the PRC government...
- List of graduates of University of Hong Kong