Hong Kong - Public support for Hong Kong leader Donald Tsang has hit an all-time low with support slipping beneath 50 per cent for the first time, a survey released Wednesday said.

In a monthly poll of more than 1,000 people, University of Hong Kong researchers found that only 45.8 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for Tsang in an election, compared to 51.3 per cent in June.

His personal popularity rating meanwhile fell 2 percentage points to 55.9 per cent, the lowest since China appointed Tsang as Hong Kong's leader in June 2005.

Tsang began his reign as chief executive on a wave of public support with almost 80 per cent saying they would vote for him if they were able to do so.

Ironically, the tumbling levels of support and confidence in Tsang come as praise is heaped on him by China's leaders for his running of the former British colony with its population of 6.9 million.

The latest endorsement came from China's new vice president Xi Jinping, tipped as a future China leader, who praised Tsang's running of Hong Kong during a three-day visit that ended Tuesday.

Tsang's popularity has dipped partly because of a recent controversy over the generous pay and conditions awarded to political appointees within his administration.

There is no popular vote for the position of chief executive in Hong Kong. Tsang was chosen for his current five-year term in 2007 by an 800-member, largely pro-Beijing, election committee. (dpa)