Mainland sources say the central government is 'disappointed' by the delay to the security bill's passage
The central government yesterday remained silent on the abrupt turnaround by Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, signaling its intention to stay above the controversy surrounding the delay of the second reading on the national security legislation.
Mainland sources said the central government still stood fully behind Mr Tung and his administration but was disappointed about the delay of the bill's passage.
The news came as Mr Tung faced intensifying pressure within Hong Kong to resign, with three delegates to the National People's Congress openly calling on him to go while other previously supportive figures stopped short of backing him publicly.
The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office yesterday declined to comment while the official electronic media which has largely ignored the latest developments in Hong Kong carried a brief Xinhua report on Mr Tung's decision, highlighting his statement that the enactment of the national security legislation was Hong Kong's constitutional responsibility and should be done as soon as possible.
Analysts said Mr Tung's decision had put the central government in an awkward position. The announcement came only one day after a statement from the National People's Congress supporting a proposal to revise the bill.
