Hong Kong's major newspapers last week gave prominent coverage to how Chinese President Hu Jintao shook the hand of Donald Tsang — who's heavily favoured to be Hong Kong's next leader, or chief executive.

The papers were all looking for signs of an official anointment when the men locked hands on Monday in Beijing.

"Donald Tsang shakes hands with Hu Jintao for 11 seconds," the mass-market Apple Daily said in a headline.

Ming Pao Daily News put the timing at 10 seconds, adding that "other leaders were very affectionate toward Donald Tsang".

The newspaper noted that State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan shook hands with Tsang for 30 seconds and "affectionately tapped his shoulder", while a "smiling" Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing "darted" to greet Tsang.

Tsang, currently Hong Kong's acting leader, was in Beijing for the Fortune Global Forum and met Hu along with other forum participants last week Sunday.

Tsang has met Hu before, but this particular meeting drew attention because it's their first encounter since widespread speculation that China wants Tsang to lead Hong Kong.

Tsang has been filling in for Tung Chee-hwa, who quit in March, but many expect Hong Kong's leader selection committee — an 800-member body dominated by Beijing loyalists — to pick him as Tung's permanent replacement.

But Tsang hasn't formally announced his candidacy and China hasn't made any official endorsements of Tsang — hence the unusually close scrutiny.

Apple Daily pointed out Tsang's Monday handshake with Hu was five seconds longer than their handshake in Macau in December, before Tsang emerged as a likely candidate for Hong Kong leader.

The handshake analysis isn't that far-fetched.

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin apparently sought out Tung in a large group for a public handshake before he became Hong Kong's first leader after Britain gave it back to China in 1997.

TV news reports have been replaying the footage of Jiang zeroing in on Tung in the large crowd.

The South China Morning Post noted that while the Hu-Tsang 11-second handshake was "impressive", Hu still gave Tsang two seconds fewer than Hong Kong businesswoman Pansy Ho, daughter of Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho.

In a news analysis, Apple Daily characterised the handshake as a "low-key backing", noting Hu didn't meet Tsang one-on-one to avoid a backlash from China's allies in Hong Kong, who are believed to be skeptical of Tsang's loyalties.

Tsang was knighted for his service in Hong Kong's British colonial administration.

- Nampa-AP

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