History will judge HK's Tung fairly -China's Wen
2005-03-14

People Tung Chee-hwa Event 2005 HK Governor Change 2005 China 10th NPC

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid tribute on Monday to Hong Kong's recently resigned chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, saying he had made major contributions to the former colony and that history would judge him fairly.

Wen also said the central government was committed to its policy of allowing Hong Kong people to run the city with a high degree of autonomy, and would continue to respect the territory's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.

Tung did "tremendous and creative work" during his tenure of nearly eight years, Wen told a news conference at the close of the annual parliament session in Beijing.

"He is hard working, he has few complaints and he has the courage to take responsibility. He has demonstrated in his work a strong sense of responsibility to compatriots in Hong Kong and to the country," Wen said.

"I believe history will treat him fairly for his efforts and contributions. I believe compatriots in Hong Kong shall never forget what he has done."

The State Council, China's cabinet, accepted the resignation of Hong Kong's increasingly unpopular leader on Saturday and he was made one of several vice-chairmen of the advisory body to the rubber stamp parliament, a face-saving gesture.

China installed Tung as chief executive of Hong Kong when it regained control over the territory from Britain in 1997.

Wen also said China would abide by Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, in handling the succession but gave no further details. Chief Secretary Donald Tsang has been designated interim leader.

"The central government is steadfast on the principle of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong, and a high degree of autonomy. We will strictly follow the Basic Law," Wen said.

Tung's eight years in power was marred by recessions, a deadly SARS epidemic, and accusations he was a puppet of Beijing. His unpopular leadership sparked huge pro-democracy protests in 2003 and 2004.

But the economy had recently begun to improve, prompting questions as to why Tung was resigning now. Tung said he wanted to resign for health reasons.