"Donald Tsang's supreme good luck guides him through impossibilities, against all odds,'' Choy So-yuk, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), told a radio audience on Sunday.

Nevertheless, good luck cannot guarantee him smooth sailing in his future career because the former senior official in the British colonial government has still not won the hearts and minds of the ``patriotic'' - that is, pro-Beijing - camp.

Differences in mentality and lack of communication between Tsang and the so-called patriots are key stumbling blocks. Some veteran leftists said they were oppressed under British rule and still feel animosity towards people associated with the colonial era, Choy said. ``His elevation alienated quite a few in [the pro-Beijing] camp,'' said Choy in RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong.

``There seems a cultural gap and emotional distance between him and the patriotic forces.

``He was viewed by some in the pro-Beijing camp as arrogant and disrespectful of the patriotic values they cherished and treasured over the decades, and paid a dear price for.''

The Chinese leadership has shifted its stance on the criteria in picking Hong Kong's new leader, she said.

The competence of candidates for the chief executive post now overrode loyalty and deference.

Apart from still being labeled a British colonial ``leftover,'' Tsang has been seen as having a more harmonious relationship with the democrats.

There has been no strong opposition from the democratic camp to Tsang, widely tipped to be Tung Chee-hwa's successor, if he runs in for the chief executive election in July.

``It is uncertain how much [the intimacy with the democratic camp] can turn into political support and votes in the Legislative Council.''

Choy said Tsang would be in a difficult situation when the central government and the different political establishments in Hong Kong have different expectations of him.

However, Choy's comments on Tsang were immediately countered by her leftist colleague, legislator Chan Yuen-han.

Chan disagreed that Tsang's ascent was a matter of luck, but rather it was natural for Tsang as the Chief Secretary to take over the helm as the Acting Chief Executive after Tung's premature departure.

Chan, who has stepped back from the frontline of the DAB to focus more on the work of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said the chances for co-operation with the chief executive will not be affected by whoever is in office. Liberal Party chairman James Tien praised Tsang's ability and said his achievement did not depend on luck.

He also said Tsang will have an advantage in the election if he runs for office.

He added the party will not decide whether to nominate any candidatefor two or three weeks. Public opinion and whether the candidate could win the trust of the central government are the main concerns, he said.

Tsang's spokesman said dealing with the duties as the Acting Chief Executive is the most important task at the moment - not deciding whether to run for election.

emily.tang@singtaonewscorp.com