It is deeply regrettable that such an important matter as the resignation of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa is being handled in a clumsy and embarrassing manner, leaving Hong Kong people in the dark. The dithering not only reflects the hallmark of an indecisive Mr Tung, but also exposes the fact that Beijing is calling all the shots, with little regard for local people's sensitivities.
Mr Tung's second five-year term is due to end on June 30, 2007. In the past few years, he has resisted demands to step down to take responsibility for his administration's policy blunders. Anti-Tung sentiments reached a climax after the huge demonstration on July 1, 2003, which attracted well more than 500,000 protesters.
Speculation on the reasons for Mr Tung's imminent departure has spread like wildfire. The consternation in the pro-Beijing camp is palpable. Shell-shocked politicians have scrambled to salvage whatever they can from their election plans, which have been thrown into disarray. Some argue that, in spite of the Basic Law's stipulation that the chief executive's term is five years, Mr Tung's successor should only serve out the remainder of his tenure.
But the news of Mr Tung's resignation plan has provoked little response from the community, which has long ago lost confidence and patience in him. People regard him as an incompetent lackey of the central government.
His departure will, no doubt, also be a response to the people's demands, but they are not celebrating. It only serves to reinforce Hongkongers' feelings of impotence and helplessness.
In the past two years, Mr Tung's maladministration has caused Beijing to interfere frequently in Hong Kong's affairs. The resignation fiasco has removed the last impression that Hong Kong has any degree of autonomy.
If, as expected, Mr Tung's resignation is confirmed this week, the central government may act swiftly and present Hong Kong with a fait accompli. One analysis has it that Beijing regards the Tung administration's failure as a management problem; hence the solution lies in picking a more competent administrator. Furthermore, since President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have no plans to allow democracy in Hong Kong, they will not accept that the answer to the city's woes lies in having a more democratic and accountable form of government.