Former Xinhua Deputy Director Zhang Junsheng Dies

A former representative of Beijing in Hong Kong, Zhang Junsheng, has died. He was 82.

The former deputy director of the Xinhua News Agency worked in Hong Kong from 1985 until he retired in 1998, a year after the British colony reverted to Chinese rule.

Just last year, he said the key to leading young people who took part in the Occupy protests back onto the right path, was through national education.

Zhang also said some young people may have gone down the wrong path because they were educated during colonial times, but people should not bad-mouth and give up on them.

In a brief statement, the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, expressed her sadness at Zhang's passing, saying he had been actively involved in the work for Hong Kong's return to China, and contributed a lot to the preparation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Lam extended her deepest condolences to his family.