Hong Kong: Another Body Blow To The Rule Of Law?

The resignation of 61-year-old Chief Secretary Anson Chan, Hong Kong's top civil servant, dealt another blow to the stumbling administration of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa. Chan is well-regarded for her forceful, public defense of Hong Kong's judicial independence and press freedom. Her early exit, announced on Jan. 12, is a vivid reminder of just how rocky the transition to Chinese rule remains for the city of 7 million people. Chan said she was resigning for personal reasons. That explanation was rejected by politicians and analysts of all stripes in Hong Kong, many of whom worry that the departure of a woman known as the conscience of the city reflects friction with the more pro-Beijing Tung.

Although Chan is heading for the door, Tung's problems aren't over--and neither will friction between Hong Kong and Beijing go away. Tung must convince Hong Kongers and the international community that he'll fight for what separates Hong Kong from the mainland, especially the rule of law and freedom of the press. Tung, who has talked about political reform in only the vaguest of terms, will have to contend with Hong Kongers who are pushing for more autonomy and democracy, and who fear Tung will now pack his administration with pro-Beijing types or local pals. Chan's exit "is the beginning of the changing of the guard," says former legislator Christine Loh, who is now chief executive of a nonprofit reform group, Civic Exchange.