bang!
Posted on 03/02/2005 11:55:27 AM PST by nickcarraway
Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Embattled Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, whose unpopular leadership spawned massive pro-democracy demonstrations, has resigned for personal reasons, local newspapers reported on Wednesday. The reports come just weeks after Tung was publicly reprimanded by Chinese President Hu Jintao for his poor performance over the past seven years. Asked to confirm if Tung had stepped down, a government spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculative reports". Citing unidentified sources, most reports said Tung's right hand man, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang, would be made acting chief executive after Tung's departure.
Tung, a businessman with little political experience, was handpicked by Beijing to be Hong Kong's first chief executive after the British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. But the former shipping tycoon's tenure has been a stormy one, marked by major policy gaffes, resignations and scandals involving key lieutenants and three economic recessions. Widespread anger with Tung's leadership spurred growing calls for full voting rights and massive street protests, alarming China's communist leaders.
Tung, 67, said his health had been deteriorating, the newspaper added. Rumours of his departure have swirled since he was made a member of the top advisory body to China's parliament on Monday, which analysts saw as a precursor to being elevated to vice-chairman of the body. Such a promotion would pave the way for a graceful exit for Tung and save face for Beijing, which has often had to defend the increasingly unpopular leader in recent years, analysts said.
Democrats who have long called for Tung to quit had mixed feelings about Tung's reported resignation, speculating that it could be a ploy by Beijing to tighten its grip on the territory. "Maybe Beijing has (already) decided who should succeed Tung," said veteran pro-democracy legislator Emily Lau. "If that's the case, it's very unfortunate because everything is being controlled and managed and Hong Kong people have no say," she said.
Tung's present term runs to mid-2007 and it is not clear if his successor would merely serve out the rest of that time or if a new chief executive would be elected for a full five-year term. According to Hong Kong's constitution, when the post becomes vacant, a new chief executive must be selected within six months.
Oh, THAT "HK".
Usually when I see those letters together, I think "Heckler & Koch".
bang!
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