Hong Kong Financial Secretary Antony Leung and Secretary for
Security Regina Ip resigned yesterday, causing a major shock for
the Hong Kong political arena.
The government announced the resignations last night of the two
principal officials of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's cabinet.
The government did not say who will fill the vacancy left by Ip but
confirmed that Stephen Ip Shu-kwan, secretary for economic
development and labor, will replace Leung as acting financial
secretary.
Ip
tendered her resignation on June 25, citing personal reasons. She
will leave her post with effect from July 25.
The chief executive said that he tried to persuade her to stay, and
suggested she consider taking long leave to get some rest and sort
out personal matters before making up her mind. However, he said
her decision could not be changed.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to respect her wish
and accept her resignation," Tung said in a statement, adding that
he had recommended to the central government the removal of Ip from
the post of secretary for security, in accordance with Article
48(5) of the Basic Law.
Praising Ip's performance during her service, Tung said she has
exceptional abilities and great wisdom.
Appreciating her immense abilities and enthusiasm in serving Hong
Kong, Tung said she will be missed by her colleagues and himself.
He wished her great success and happiness in the years to come.
Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang said he respected
Ip's decision, and hailed her devotion, hard work, leadership
skills and ability to take on challenges.
Ip
thanked Tung and her civil service colleagues for their support
during her five-year tenure as security secretary. Ip said she
deeply regrets the legislative work to implement Basic Law Article
23 has not been completed as scheduled.
"As a Chinese national and the secretary for security, I sincerely
believe I have a responsibility to actively promote this highly
important legislative task. I feel deeply honored that I have had
an opportunity to take part in this historic legislative work
during my tenure," Ip said.
Antony Leung's decision to quit the civil service will be
implemented with immediate effect, according to the government
statement.
The financial secretary was criticized after he bought a new Lexus
in January before he raised auto taxes in March, saving himself
HK$190,000(US$24,359).
At
the time Leung called it an honest oversight and sought to make
amends by donating more than twice as much money to charity.
Leung said it was a good time to leave the post as the
Appropriation Bill and the major revenue proposals in the Budget
have been passed by the Legislative Council, SARS has been
contained, and economic relaunch measures are being implemented
with recovery in the most affected industries stronger than
anticipated.
A
third factor was the successful achievement of the Closer Economic
Partnership Arrangement with the mainland, which was signed on June
29, the first day of Premier Wen Jiabao's three-day trip to Hong
Kong.
"I
am glad that I have had the opportunity to serve the people of Hong
Kong, which I have carried out in all respects with a clear
conscience at all times," Leung said.
The chief executive commended Leung for helping revitalize Hong
Kong's economy.
"In particular, he has made important contributions in tackling the
deficit, restructuring the economy, concluding the Closer Economic
Partnership Arrangement between the mainland and Hong Kong, and
relaunching Hong Kong after the SARS outbreak,"he said.
(China Daily July 17, 2003)