Chinese Government Slammed For Reducing Tenure Of HK Chief Executive

by Mary Swire, for LawAndTax-News.com, Hong Kong

29 April 2005

The decision by the Chinese government to reduce the tenure of the next Hong Kong chief executive to just two years has been criticised by many in the jurisdiction as an unjustified intervention into its political affairs.

The decision to restrict the next Hong Kong's leader's term to the two years remaining to the former occupant of the role, Tung Chee-hwa was initially made by the territory's government. However, when it was challenged by the democrats, the matter was referred to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

In an editorial published this week, the South China Morning Post observed that:

"The failure to adhere to the clear wording of the Basic Law has dealt a blow to Hong Kong's rule of law and confidence in the 'one country, two systems' concept."

The Apple Daily, meanwhile, suggested that it would be impossible for the Chinese authorities "to hide the long-term damage this would have on the rule of law".

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