Agence France Presse

Hong Kong, March 13:

China’s decision to shorten the term of Hong Kong’s next leader had observers today warning of trouble ahead, saying the move had damaged the city’s autonomy and would likely face a legal challenge. Caretaker chief executive Donald Tsang declared yesterday that a replacement for leader Tung Chee-hwa, whose early resignation last week triggered a succession debate, would serve only the two years remaining of the out-going leader’s term.

The next chief executive will be chosen on July 10 by the city’s 800-member Beijing-approved election committee. Although Tsang said the decision was made by his government, it is widely believed the acting leader was simply doing the bidding of China, which took over the former British colony as an autonomous territory in 1997.

The move has angered many in this southern enclave who say it flouts the Basic Law constitution adopted in 1997, which sets out five-year terms for the chief executive. “It means that the new chief executive will start off with a term of office that is unconstitutional,” wrote the Sunday China Morning Post in an editorial. “Political expediency has been allowed to prevail over the rule of law,” it added. “It is, in this sense, a sad day for Hong Kong.” Tsang’s announcement, in his first speech as the acting head of the city of 6.8 million, was described as a “U-turn” in the Basic Law by the press. Media have attached particular significance to the conspiratorial tone of the language used by justice secretary Elsie Leung, who said the government had “adjusted its understanding” of the law to let the decision pass.

China is believed to prefer a shortened term partly to maintain the election timetable set out by the Basic Law but also because it has no firm favourites to succeed Tung. Many see yesterday’s hasty announcement as a fait accompli that forced an unpopular decision on Hong Kong without offering room for debate.