Nominations for the Hong Kong Chief Executive (CE) Election,
which started on June 3, closed at 5:00PM Thursday afternoon.
Donald Tsang was the sole valid candidate in the by-elections and
has automatically become the Chief Executive designate of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR), according to Articles 23 and 28
of the Chief Executive Election Bill of Hong Kong.
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The Returning Officer for the Chief Executive Election, Justice
Carlye Chu, made the announcement at 5:30PM Thursday.
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Tsang won the support of 674 out of the 796 members of the Election
Committee, according to Justice Chu.
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The Basic Law of the HKSAR stipulates that the CE shall be elected
by a broadly representative Election Committee and appointed by the
Central People's government.
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Chairman of the Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission Woo
Kwok-Hing said all the arrangements and procedures of the election
accorded with the provisions of the Basic Law, the Chief Executive
Election Ordinance and other related laws.
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"The election was conducted in an open, fair and honest manner. The
election is legal and effective," Woo said.
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On March 12, the central government approved Tung Chee Hwa's
resignation as HKSAR Chief Executive because of health
reasons.
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Under the Basic Law and the provisions of the HKSAR's relevant
laws, Hong Kong had to elect a new chief executive before July
10.
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After appointment by the Central People's government as CE
designate, the candidate formally becomes the CE of the
HKSAR.
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Tsang, 61 years old, who served as Chief Secretary for
Administration of the HKSAR government, formally announced his
candidacy on June 2. He said in his policy blueprint that he will
act in strict accordance with the Basic Law, implement the
principle of "One Country, Two Systems," safeguard the overall and
long-term interest of the country and Hong Kong, consolidate Hong
Kong's status as Asia's world city, and build a stable, prosperous
Hong Kong in which all its citizens take pride.
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The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's
top legislature, adopted on April 27, 2005 an interpretation of
Article 53 Clause 2 of the Basic Law, which states that the term of
office of an incoming HKSAR CE shall be the remainder of that of
the outgoing CE if the position becomes vacant before the expiry of
stipulated five-year-term.
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According to the interpretation and the amendment to the Chief
Executive Election Ordinance adopted by the HKSAR's Legislative
Council earlier this year, Tsang's tenure will be two years.
(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2005)