Tsang declared leader of Hong Kong leadership race

Career civil servant Donald Tsang was declared the winner of Hong Kong’s leadership race today, but he got few words of congratulations from editorial writers, who accused him of arrogantly steamrolling his rivals in an undemocratic campaign.

Tsang snapped up about 85% of the nominations from a 796-member election committee that picks the leaders in the former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The election panel is dominated by members partial to the central government in Beijing.

Hong Kong officials certified his win today, and China’s State Council, or cabinet, was expected to give final approval next week.