[Comprehensive report by this newspaper]Hong Kong citizens are most impressed by Jiang Zemin when he angrily scolded Hong Kong journalists “Too Simple! Sometimes Naive!” in Beijing in October 2000. It became the headline news in Hong Kong newspapers at that time, and it is still talked regarding by people today.
Asked if he supports Tung Chee-hwa’s re-election as Chief Executive
On October 27 of that year, Jiang Zemin met Tung Chee-hwa, the then Chief Executive of Hong Kong, in Zhongnanhai. At that time, Tung Chee-hwa’s first term was regarding to expire, and whether to be re-elected became a hot topic, and the attitude of the state leaders played a key role. The Hong Kong journalists who accompanied Dong Chee-hwa to Beijing did not miss this rare opportunity and asked Jiang Zemin face to face whether he supported Dong Chee-hwa’s re-election. Jiang Zemin responded in Cantonese: “Okay!” The atmosphere was still relaxed.
However, when a Hong Kong female reporter asked whether the central government had “appointed” Tung Chee-hwa as chief executive, Jiang Zemin immediately “changed his face” and approached the press booth, saying loudly, “You journalists should learn from it. I have experienced many battles.” …The media also needs to improve their knowledge level, right? You can run faster than Western reporters, but the questions you ask, Too Simple! Sometimes Naive!”
Jiang Zemin went on to say, “There is a saying in China that is ‘make a fortune in silence’…you have to be responsible. I didn’t mention the appointment of Mr. Dong. That’s not what it means. But you ask me if I support Mr. Dong? He is the chief executive now. , how can we not support the chief executive?” The next day, Jiang Zemin’s words were widely reported by all newspapers in Hong Kong.
