After rumours of his resignation has been widely circulating for 10 days, Hong Kong's chief executive Tung Chee-hwa finally make his resignation official. This brings much relieve to the public and a renewed hope for a better leadership.
Under Tung's 8 year reign Hong Kong has suffered from the crash of real estate market, prolonged economic problems and the SARS crisis. The way he avoided responding to the public about his impending departure for full 10 days is just one last example of him being an indecisive and ineffective leader. All these backroom politics make it all too clear that the chief executive only reports to Beijing and not to the people of Hong Kong.
Still Tung is the first chief executive after the historical return of Hong Kong to China under the "one country two systems" policy. We very much want to recognize some, if any, positive legacy he has left. Sadly perhaps the only thing that would make history is that he failed to complete his second term.
2005.03.10 comments -