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Tung's departure may delay reform until 2010

China is likely to give the successor of Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) a two-year trial period before making a permanent appointment for the full five-year term, press reports said yesterday.

Hong Kong newspapers reported on Wednesday that Tung would step down as chief executive later this month, two years before his tenure expires in 2007, ending a turbulent post-handover reign.

The news sparked speculation that China had ordered Tung's resignation in order to delay by three years any chance of electoral reforms in Hong Kong, with the incoming chief executive serving until 2010.

Replacements

Hong Kong Chief Secretary Donald Tsang (曾蔭權) is widely seen as the front-runner to replace Tung, who has so far made no comment on the reports.

Several newspapers reported Tsang would be appointed to serve the remainder of Tung's term in order to allow China's leaders to see if he was the right man for the job.

If not, it may consider other candidates for the next term in 2007, according to the South China Morning Post.

Yu Xiaosong (俞曉松), vice-director of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference committee on Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, told the Post that a two-year appointment was in keeping with the territory's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

"If the serving chief executive resigns on the grounds of illness, his successor should only serve out the outgoing leader's remaining tenure," Yu was quoted as saying in Beijing.

China's leaders have so far made no comment on Tung's reported resignation.

Tung had grown increasingly unpopular during an eight-year reign that has seen massive street protests in recent years.

Democracy Delayed

Pro-democracy campaigners said yesterday that they may plan another large-scale rally if democratic reforms were delayed, accusing China's leaders of trying to dupe Hong Kong's population.

"The central government is treating the Hong Kong people like fools. They are trying to push back democratic reforms here," said Jackie Hung (孔令瑜), spokeswoman for the pro-democracy Civil Human Rights Front.

"The Basic Law says we will get universal suffrage in a gradual and orderly manner but we are not advancing at all but going back," she added, urging the government to clarify their intent as soon as possible.

The group, consisting of more than 40 non-governmental organizations, said it will meet on Monday to discuss its response to the resignation.

Early Exit

Tung's possible early exit had been mooted since 2003 when his government was plunged into crisis after more than 500,000 people took to the streets to protest anti-subversion laws proposed by China.

His position was further weakened last year by a bruising battle with pro-democracy groups over the timing of democratic reforms.

Another half million people marched through the streets last July to demand universal suffrage to elect Tung's successor in 2007.

His tenure reached its nadir in December when Tung and his Cabinet were given a public dressing-down by Chinese President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤) for their poor performance.

Also see story:
The slow decline of Tung Chee-hwa
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