The Chief Executive Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Thursday dismissed as speculation a report by the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) that indicated Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa might step down as early as next year in the midst of the debate on constitutional development.

EIU said the Basic Law interpretation recently delivered by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee increased the chance that pro-democracy forces would gain control of the Legislative Council (LegCo) in the September election, and this would severely curtail Tung’s ability to work with the council. The NPC Standing Committee interpretation ruled out direct elections for the chief executive and LegCo in 2007 and 2008.

“We do not agree with the observations set out in EIU’s forecast concerning our high degree of autonomy and constitutional development,” a government spokesman said.

The comments made as to the chief executive’s stay in office, he added, are sheer speculation. Tung has clearly indicated that he will continue to serve the community of Hong Kong until his present term expires. 

(China Daily May 28, 2004)