HONG KONG -- Incumbent Donald Tsang trounced his challenger Sunday in Hong Kong's first contested leadership race since it returned to China.

An election committee voted 649-123 to keep Tsang, a bow tie-wearing veteran civil servant, in office for a five-year term, officials said. He had been widely expected to beat his rival, lawmaker Alan Leong.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang receives flowers from his wife Selina at the podium after Tsang won the chief executive election, at the polling station in Hong Kong March 25, 2007. [Xinhua]

The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong congratulated incumbent Donald Tsang on his overwhelming victory in the election of the third-term chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Sunday.

"Your re-election fully demonstrates the full confirmation and recognition of your efforts to serve Hong Kong and the various sectors of society," said the office in a congratulatory message to Tsang.

The office said that since 2005 when Tsang became the chief executive, he has unswervingly implemented the principle of "one country, two systems" and the Basic Law, while leading the HKSAR government to adopt the administrative philosophy of " Strong Leadership, Harmony, People-based Governance," a move that has won strong support from the citizens of Hong Kong.

"Our Office will, as always, support the SAR government to administrate in accordance with the Basic Law, better undertake the duty of communication and liaison, and continue to promote the exchanges and cooperation between the HKSAR and the Mainland to make our due contribution to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, " said the office.

The office expressed its belief that Tsang will be able to lead Hong Kong to a better future with the strong support of the central government and the people of Hong Kong.