Tung Chee-Hwa To Serve Second Term As HK Chief Executive

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

21 February 2002

It was revealed earlier this week that Hong Kong Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa looks almost certain to serve a second term in the position.

Mr Tung's critics feel that in a popular election, he would be unlikely to survive a vote. However, the Chief Executive's future now seems to be assured, following overwhelming support from the election committee for his nomination.

In order to compete with Mr Tung for the position of Hong Kong Chief Executive, a potential candidate would need to collect at least 100 nomination signatures from the committee. However, as 706 of the 800 members came out in support of the current political leader, there are effectively no other challengers for the position, a result which has distressed pro-democracy campaigners.

'Such a manipulated system defies logic and is an insult to the people's intelligence,' observed opposition lawmaker, Emily Lau. 'Mr Tung does not represent the people and his policies will continue to serve the interests of his friends and cronies.'

Mr Tung, who first took up the position in 1997 when the former British colony was returned to the Chinese, ignored accusations that he is a 'yes-man' to Beijing, and called for greater unity in the SAR, in order to rebuild the jurisdiction's struggling economy.

Returning Officer Justice Pang Kin-kee confirmed on Tuesday that there was no evidence of foul play or manipulation, and that of the 706 signatures collected supporting Mr Tung's nomination, 702 have so far been verified as valid.

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