Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) received Saturday
afternoon a State Council decree which approved Tung Chee Hwa's
resignation from the post of chief executive.
Acting Chief Executive and Administrative Secretary Donald Tsang
immediately began to assume the duties of the Chief Executive of
HKSAR.
Donald Tsang held a press conference Saturday evening. He
praised Tung Chee Hwa for his contribution to maintaining Hong
Kong's smooth transfer, implementation of "One Country, Two
Systems" and pushing ahead with the restructuring of Hong Kong's
economy.
He said he has invited all the members of the Executive Council
and the principal officials to remain in office and they have
accepted the invitation.
Tsang said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
government will continue to maintain the smooth and stable
operation, maintain good security and social order and guarantee
the interest of investors.
As for the arrangements for the selection of the new Chief
Executive, he said the selection for the new Chief Executive will
be held on July 10 according to law.
Tsang said according the Basic Law, the term of office of the
selected new Chief Executive will be the remaining period of the
second-term Chief Executive.
He said, by the year of 2007, the new Chief Executive will be
selected according to new methods.
Tsang called on Hong Kong people from all walks of life to be
united and treasure the present situation of economic recovery and
jointly maintain the stability and development of Hong Kong.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2005)
