Beijng completed its overhaul of Hong Kong's government with the swearing-in Thursday of Rafael Hui, its hand-picked choice to serve as No2 during Donald Tsang's two-year term as chief executive.

"Beijing's trust and Donald Tsang's sincerity deeply touch me,'' Hui said after a brief ceremony in the chief executive's office. "Being back at the Government Secretariat today to me is almost like a homecoming.''

Tsang praised his old friend, saying, "he and I will work well together.''

Hui was selected by Beijing for the post four months ago, shortly after former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa announced his resignation, according to sources. Two other candidates for the job - Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li and Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands Michael Suen - were later added to the nomination list but never seriously considered.

Hui said the main tasks facing him in the post are electoral reform for the 2007-2008 elections, resolving the West Kowloon controversy and finding new blood for Hong Kong politics.

He told editors at a media briefing that he looks forward to producing a ``white paper blueprint of political reforms for public consultation,'' which will aim to open up the government to greater participation.

``It should be a holistic package - repositioning senior civil servants and opening up entry into the government for different parties and sectors.''

In the eyes of Hong Kong's political masters in Beijing, Hui is seen as calm and amiable, a perfect counterpoint to Tsang's reputation for being blunt and hot-tempered, sources said.

The two are both viewed as being reliable, popular with the public and able to work well with the civil service.

Hui quit his last government post as secretary for financial services in 2001 and has been semi-retired since. He has also served as a private consultant to the powerful Kwok family, a fact that has raised some controversy concerning his ties to property developers.

He is understood to have played a key role behind the scenes as a strategist and adviser ever since Tsang was tipped for the top post in February.

`` [Being the chief secretary] is quite challenging to me,'' he told editors. He jokingly called the post the ``biggest nightmare in my life.''

He bristled at the idea that Beijing is using both he and Tsang as pawns to control Hong Kong politics.

``Beijing has a final say over major and critical issues like constitutional reforms, foreign affairs and defense,'' he said. ``But I totally disagree with some democrats' allegations that Beijing plants her puppets. The central leaders are too preoccupied with major national issues and prefer to leave Hong Kong to run itself. I truly believe that I have substantial room to do my job. If not, I would leave it to others.''

Hui also said he is still considering removing the iron gates from government headquarters.

carrie.chan2@singtaonewscorp.com

cannix.yau@singtaonewscorp.com

Smooth ride to the top: A11