Nominations for the Hong Kong Chief Executive (CE) Election, which started on June 3, closed at 5:00PM Thursday afternoon. Donald Tsang was the sole valid candidate in the by-elections and has automatically become the Chief Executive designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), according to Articles 23 and 28 of the Chief Executive Election Bill of Hong Kong.
The Returning Officer for the Chief Executive Election, Justice Carlye Chu, made the announcement at 5:30PM Thursday.
Tsang won the support of 674 out of the 796 members of the Election Committee, according to Justice Chu.
The Basic Law of the HKSAR stipulates that the CE shall be elected by a broadly representative Election Committee and appointed by the Central People's government.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission Woo Kwok-Hing said all the arrangements and procedures of the election accorded with the provisions of the Basic Law, the Chief Executive Election Ordinance and other related laws.
"The election was conducted in an open, fair and honest manner. The election is legal and effective," Woo said.
On March 12, the central government approved Tung Chee Hwa's resignation as HKSAR Chief Executive because of health reasons.
Under the Basic Law and the provisions of the HKSAR's relevant laws, Hong Kong had to elect a new chief executive before July 10.
After appointment by the Central People's government as CE designate, the candidate formally becomes the CE of the HKSAR.
Tsang, 61 years old, who served as Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government, formally announced his candidacy on June 2. He said in his policy blueprint that he will act in strict accordance with the Basic Law, implement the principle of "One Country, Two Systems," safeguard the overall and long-term interest of the country and Hong Kong, consolidate Hong Kong's status as Asia's world city, and build a stable, prosperous Hong Kong in which all its citizens take pride.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, adopted on April 27, 2005 an interpretation of Article 53 Clause 2 of the Basic Law, which states that the term of office of an incoming HKSAR CE shall be the remainder of that of the outgoing CE if the position becomes vacant before the expiry of stipulated five-year-term.
According to the interpretation and the amendment to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance adopted by the HKSAR's Legislative Council earlier this year, Tsang's tenure will be two years.
(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2005)
