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HK's Tsang denies any Beijing interference
2005-03-15
HONG KONG - Hong Kong's interim leader said on Monday shortening the term of the next chief executive was correct and dismissed any suggestion of interference by Beijing after the shock departure of the previous leader.Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang took over the running of Hong Kong last Saturday after unpopular Tung Chee-hwa quit well before his term ended. Tsang put aside part of his first working day as interim leader to meet foreign journalists. He is under huge pressure to restore confidence in the city's government after Tung's nearly eight-year rule triggered deep resentment over his out-of-touch style and, eventually, large street demonstrations. Sources say Tsang has Beijing's backing and is certain to be selected as the next chief executive by a Beijing-stacked panel on July 10. Tsang said last Saturday that the next chief executive would serve two years instead of the full five. Critics said the decision bore the hallmarks of interference by Beijing. But Tsang said: "There is absolutely no conspiracy in this." Hong Kong's government had held the view that the term of any chief executive would be for five years, as stipulated in the city's constitution, but Tsang said that turned out to be wrong. "Regrettably, our previous understanding was wrong. In these circumstances, an election of a chief executive (would be) to serve out the remaining term of Mr Tung, in this case, two years," Tsang said. "We came to the conclusion ourselves, having looked at all the constitutional documents, the history, applying our own legal tradition and came to what we have decided, and we do it in the best interests of Hong Kong," he said. Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997 and its new masters promised the city a high level of autonomy. NO BEIJING INTERFERENCE Sources say the two-year term was meant to test Tsang's abilities. Many Beijing loyalists are suspicious of the veteran civil servant because of his links with the former British colonial regime. Analysts say China needs to appease pro-Beijing parties, which are preparing to nominate candidates to run for the top post when the electoral college next convenes in 2007. Giving the next chief executive a five-year term from July 2005 would have pushed that process back by three years to 2010, further delaying any chance of Hong Kong people being able to choose their own leader freely. Tsang said a two-year term would allow more representative elections to be held in 2007. The current Beijing-sanctioned electoral college has 800 members, but consultations are now under way with the hope of enlarging that franchise. Tsang's government is to introduce a bill to amend local electoral laws, making clear that a leader chosen in a by-election would only serve out the predecessor's remaining term. Pro-democracy lawmakers and lawyers say that can be legally challenged as it violates the constitution which says clearly that the term of any leader would be for five years. But Tsang said: "If such a serious challenge occurs, I am sure our courts will deal with it expeditiously." Tsang would not say if he had any plans to run for the top post in July, but indicated that he had the support of Beijing. "The fact that I'm here in this job means I have the support of the central government ... If I am able to win the support of the Hong Kong people, I'm sure the support of the central government will be forthcoming," he said. Reuters
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