Chinese president Hu Jintao met Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa Saturday evening but stayed silent on whether Tung had handed in his resignation. Tung held a closed-door meeting with President Hu in Beijing where the pair are believed to have discussed Tung's decision to step down two years ahead of the end of his second term. However, appearing before reporters with Tung, Hong Kong's leader since 1997, Hu would only comment on the 67-year-old's appointment to the Chinese People's Political Consulative Committee. He made no reference to the resignation of Tung who is believed to be preparing to resign on the grounds of ill health after being publically lambasted by Hu in December for his inadequate governance. Beijing-appointed Tung is widely unpopular in Hong Kong and China was alerted to the depth of public feeling against him when 500,000 people took part in an anti-government march in July 2003. Speculation about his resignation has been rife since his appointment to the CPPCC was confirmed last Sunday. However, an official announcement that he has stepped down may now be withheld until March 12 when he is expected to be confirmed as a CPPCC vice-chairman, usually a retirement job for top officials. Tung's office announced Saturday the Chief Executive would remain in Beijing until Sunday when he will meet premier Wen Jiabao. He will return to Hong Kong Sunday evening. Tung was chosen by Hu's predecessor Jiang Zemin to be Hong Kong's leader when the territory was returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 after 156 years of British colonial rule.
