Hong Kong: Hong Kong's beleaguered chief executive Tung Chee-hwa finally stepped down yesterday, ending weeks of speculation as attention in the territory turned to what kind of leadership Hong Kong can expect in the post-Tung era.
In a news conference broadcast live on Hong Kong television, Mr Tung cited health reasons for his departure, although analysts believe he was sacked by his Beijing bosses for failing to keep a lid on calls for more democracy in Hong Kong.
Mr Tung's deputy, chief secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, will take over as interim leader and must organise an election within six months.
Mr Tung was broadly viewed as a puppet of the Chinese government. While few people in the city will regret his decision to step down, pro-democracy campaigners are worried that his departure is further evidence of China bringing its weight to bear on Hong Kong's affairs.
Hong Kong's last governor, Chris Patten, said that he hoped Mr Tsang's presence would boost democracy in the territory.
"Donald Tsang would be a likely candidate to win a vote in Hong Kong if there were an election," Lord Patten said. He was speaking after he appeared on the panel of the BBC's Question Time, which was broadcast from Shanghai for the first time.
"Donald Tsang is very articulate, very competent and has shown himself to be a loyal servant. Hopefully he can persuade Beijing to be a bit more imaginative about Hong Kong. They need to realise that allowing people to decide their own future will not destabilise Hong Kong," he said.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao, who also appeared on the show, said democracy should be introduced gradually in line with Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
"Hong Kong people are smart. They love democracy and they love wealth. The democratic process is a gradual one, not a hasty one," he said.
China has been shocked and angered by huge demonstrations on the streets of Hong Kong calling for democratic reforms in how the city's legislature is elected. Beijing has consistently reiterated the need for political stability in the territory of nearly seven million people.