Donald Tsang, chief executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on Wednesday extended congratulations to Margaret Chan on her nomination as the sole candidate for the post of director-general of the World Health Organization(WHO).

"I know that my feeling must be shared by the seven million people of Hong Kong. They are really excited and happy," said Donald Tsang, who is in Brussels for an official visit.

"They are feeling very proud that Margaret Chan, our Hong Kong girl, has become the sole nomination from the Executive Committee of WHO to be the Director General of WHO," he added.

"For Hong Kong, this nomination comes not only as enormous happiness for us, it certainly makes us feel very proud that we are able to contribute to a global organization as WHO through the work of our Hong Kong person. And I am sure that it is a matter which the Chinese nation as a whole will be very happy about, because we believe that she is the first Chinese now heading one of the UN institutions," he added.

Tsang noted that the Central Government of China has done an enormous amount of work in supporting Chan and in helping her to conduct her campaign.

"We in Hong Kong have done our little part as well. When it comes to fruition, it's a very good ending," he added.

On Wednesday, Tsang made a phone call with Chan to express his congratulations.

"It is also good for the world as a whole that Mrs Chan, having such vast experience in public health administration - conducted a reform of our administration in Hong Kong, ... she will bring forth to the new WHO her vast experience," he said.

"I am very, very happy," he concluded.

Source: Xinhua