Up, up and away to see how the west can be won
By Carmen Cheung, Hong Kong iMail in Xian
BUSINESS leaders were relaxed as they started their trek west yesterday, despite threats to the delegation by Xinjiang separatists.
A sense of adventure surrounded the government's ``Go West'' delegation as it set off in a jet emblazoned with the SAR's new dragon logo on a flight to Xian, the first stop in the 10-day trip.
Noticeably absent from the group, however, were property tycoon Li Ka-shing's two sons, Victor Li Tzar-kuoi and Richard Li Tzar-kai.
Journalists covering the trip were told the pair may join the delegation at the second stop - Beijing.
And Richard Li is likely to use his own aeroplane rather than taking the official flight, possibly to avoid being asked sensitive questions from reporters about his revelation last week that he may step down as PCCW chief executive officer.
While first-class service was apparent in all aspects of yesterday's travel arrangements, signs of first-class security measures were not so obvious.
During the flight, delegation leader Donald Tsang Yam-kuen reassured delegates he had received a ``first-class assurance'' from the Central Government and relevant provincial chiefs about the safety of the trip.
On arrival in Xian, some very relaxed-looking Public Security officers were seen along the road from the airport to the hotel. However, no special security arrangements were in force at the hotel, where high-ranking provincial officials greeted the Hong Kong group.
Maybe this was because the threats came from Xinjiang, not Xian.
But the organisation that warned Mr Tsang against going to the troubled western region may feel some satisfaction - the Chief Secretary for Administration revealed that a number of delegates were just going to the first and second stops, but would not travel to Urumqi.
Mr Tsang blamed time constraints rather than separatists for delegates bailing out of the trip, adding that those who stuck with him for the full 10 days would be rewarded.
``To those who can cover the whole trip, I am considering giving them awards ... maybe a kiss, or handshake,'' Mr Tsang quipped.
Carmen Cheung
22 May 2001 / 12:36 AM
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