Hong Kong's Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang
announced Wednesday that he has decided to submit a report to the
State Council suggesting that the National
People's Congress Standing Committee interpret the Basic Law
concerning the term of office of the new chief executive.
Tsang, also?chief secretary of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, told the Legislative Council that he
hopes that LegCo members and the community will understand the
thorough and careful consideration behind the decision, stressing
this is a correct and necessary decision.
"We have made arrangements for the chief executive's office to
submit the report to the State Council later today," Tsang
said.
Later, Tsang told the media although the decision was a
difficult one, it was necessary: the government is facing a problem
that it cannot solve internally. He believes that seeking
interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee will help the
government maintain stability and ensure its normal operation.
On March 12, the State Council approved the resignation request
of former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa.
Article 53 of the Basic Law states that in such instances, a new
chief executive must be selected within six months. Pursuant to
Section 10 of the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (CEEO), the
election will be held on July 10.
The term of the newly elected replacement has been a matter of
debate. Tsang said that in accordance with advice of the Secretary
for Justice, his position is that the term of the new chief
executive would be the remainder of the term of his or her
predecessor.
He said the CEEO has no express provision regarding the term of
office of a chief executive elected to fill a vacancy arising for
reasons other than expiry of term. A bill for amendment of the law
to cover this area was submitted to the LegCo for examination and
debate.
(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2005)