This author wrote before Vice-Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Hong Kong that his visit would offer local residents an excellent opportunity to observe this young State leader up close. Over three days Hong Kong residents got to know this energetic and charismatic vice-premier directly or through local media.

This is Li’s first visit here since he took office as vice-premier in the State Council. The great majority of local residents’ knowledge of him was limited to a simple resume-like profile, such as he is the youngest member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, worked as provincial government leader before and is now assisting Premier Wen Jiabao in economic affairs and others concerning people’s livelihood. That’s about it. They don’t know much about details such as his work style.

In just three days or, to be exact, 52 hours, the distance between Li and Hong Kong residents was shortened significantly. His packed schedule brought him to many places and functions almost non-stop but he was calm and collected throughout. Meeting with senior officials of the SAR government, local and overseas university presidents and celebrated scholars, chatting with local entrepreneurs over tea, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with ordinary citizens, talking face-to-face with college and vocational school students, delivering a keynote speech in front of an audience of one thousand at a forum and in a top-notch university, listening intently to introductions about public housing development at an exhibition and observing the daily operation on the trading floor of Hong Kong Stock Exchange and at the headquarters of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, it is safe to say Li experienced and learned about Hong Kong as much as circumstance permitted in such a short period of time.

While getting acquainted with the city, the young vice-premier also left a much clearer impression on Hong Kong residents. His people-friendly style, down-to-earth persona, knowledge about the financial industry, even his cool demeanor and fluent English all projected him as a State leader that Hong Kong residents can trust and who is straightforward and good at boosting people’s confidence.
Li Keqiang thinks highly of Hong Kong, which is why he expressed his appreciation and admiration for the city wherever he went. Hong Kong residents appreciate and admire him as well, hoping he will feel what Hongkongers feel more than ever after this informative trip.