However many of them are also disappointed at how she "retreated steadily" in Sino-British negotiations and "failed to defend the best interests of the people of Hong Kong", the newspaper adds.

BBC: China media: Remembering Margaret Thatcher

"Now is the end of our quest for a graceful first lady, " wrote the deputy editor-in-chief of the Hong Kong Commercial Daily newspaper in a widely circulated message on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo micoblogging service.

WSJ: China Swoons Over New First Lady

"Now is the end of our quest for a graceful first lady, " wrote the deputy editor in chief of the Hong Kong Commercial Daily newspaper in a widely circulated message on the Twitter-like Sina Weibo microblogging service.

WSJ: China Swoons Over New First Lady