Hong Kong's Acting Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced Wednesday that he has decided to submit a report to the State Council suggesting that the National People's Congress Standing Committee interpret the Basic Law concerning the term of office of the new chief executive.

Tsang, also chief secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, told the Legislative Council that he hopes that LegCo members and the community will understand the thorough and careful consideration behind the decision, stressing this is a correct and necessary decision.

"We have made arrangements for the chief executive's office to submit the report to the State Council later today," Tsang said.

Later, Tsang told the media although the decision was a difficult one, it was necessary: the government is facing a problem that it cannot solve internally. He believes that seeking interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee will help the government maintain stability and ensure its normal operation.

On March 12, the State Council approved the resignation request of former Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa.

Article 53 of the Basic Law states that in such instances, a new chief executive must be selected within six months. Pursuant to Section 10 of the Chief Executive Election Ordinance (CEEO), the election will be held on July 10.

The term of the newly elected replacement has been a matter of debate. Tsang said that in accordance with advice of the Secretary for Justice, his position is that the term of the new chief executive would be the remainder of the term of his or her predecessor.

He said the CEEO has no express provision regarding the term of office of a chief executive elected to fill a vacancy arising for reasons other than expiry of term. A bill for amendment of the law to cover this area was submitted to the LegCo for examination and debate.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2005)