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To: energyplay who wrote (60954)	3/13/2005 1:03:55 AM
From: TobagoJack	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 74559

Yeup, Donald Tsang, younger, more energy, financially savvy, business friendly, etc Tung was not popular with the masses because of matters out of his control/influence (SARS, bird flu, Asian Financial Crisis, real estate collapse, etc. Tung was not that popular with the business crowd, because he was too cautious to let the investor / speculators get on with things that mattered, ie airport redevelopment. So, good times will be, soon, maybe. Chugs, Jay

To: energyplay who wrote (60954)	3/13/2005 4:02:05 AM
From: elmatador	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74559

Rough seas seen ahead in Hong Kong's new era HONG KONG : China's decision to shorten the term of Hong Kong's next leader had observers warning of trouble ahead, saying the move had damaged the city's autonomy and would likely face a legal challenge. Caretaker chief executive Donald Tsang declared Saturday that a replacement for leader Tung Chee-hwa, whose early resignation last week triggered a succession debate, would serve only the two years remaining of the out-going leader's term. The next chief executive will be chosen on July 10 by the city's 800-member Beijing-approved election committee. Although Tsang said the decision was made by his government, it is widely believed the acting leader was simply doing the bidding for China, which has ruled the territory since its 1997 handover from British colonial rule. The move has angered many in this southern enclave who say it flouts the Basic Law constitution adopted in 1997, which provides for the chief executive to serve for five years. "It means that the new chief executive will start off with a term of office that is unconstitutional," wrote the Sunday China Morning Post in an editorial. "Political expediency has been allowed to prevail over the rule of law," it added. "It is, in this sense, a sad day for Hong Kong." Tsang's announcement, in his first speech as the acting head of the city of 6.8 million, was described a "U-turn" in the Basic Law by the press. Media have attached particular significance to the conspiratorial tone of the language used by justice secretary Elsie Leung who said the government had "adjusted its understanding" of the law to let the decision pass. China is believed to prefer a shortened term partly to maintain the election timetable set out by the Basic Law but also because it has no firm favourites to succeed Tung. While Tsang is thought to be the prime candidate to win selection in July, the veteran civil servant's background as a loyalist of the former British administration has raised concerns among hardliners in the Communist Party. A short term would give China the chance to test him out before appointing him on a more permanent basis. Many see Saturday's hasty announcement as a fait accompli that forced an unpopular decision on to Hong Kong without offering room for debate. "It is a hot potato and in doing it this way, Tsang has shown that China just wants to get the matter over and done with," said China watcher Sung Lap-kung of Hong Kong City University. Sung agreed with legal experts who warn the decision could lead to a constitutional crisis if opponents to a shortened term, including opposition legislators fighting for full democracy here, launched a judicial review. Local courts are prevented from handling such an issue and they would be forced to send it to China's parliamentary body, a move Beijing hopes to avoid for fear of stoking an already sceptical city's fear of Chinese interference. "I think there will be a judicial review," Sung told AFP. "People want to see the government of Hong Kong stick to the law of Hong Kong." channelnewsasia.com