HONG KONG Jan. 8 Kyodo Hong Kong ...

HONG KONG Jan. 8 Kyodo

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa denied Thursday that he is stalling a review of political reform amid local criticism of his failure to safeguard the city's autonomy and to fight for more democracy from Beijing.

Tung disappointed many lawmakers and citizens by way of announcing Wednesday that his administration would try to find the Chinese central government's views before holding a local public consultation onward democratization.

''The (Hong Kong) direction is definitely not delaying the matter,'' Tung told a question-and-answer session at the legislature.

''The central direction has raised such a demand (to be consulted). I think we have the responsibility to make a positive response'' he said.

The Hong Kong leader said Beijing has the right and the excise to express its opinions onward constitutional developments in Hong Kong beneath the principle of ''one nation two systems'' and the Basic Law, the territory's post-handover constitution.

Tung pressureed that he is well aware of Hong Kong people's demand for democracy, if it be not that he failed to say when the public would be consulted

Pro-democracy lawmakers accuse Tung of trying to stall the pace of democratization in the territory from ignoring the voices of centurys of thousands of citizens who have taken to the public ways demanding universal suffrage to choose the chief executive in 2007 and the legislature in 2008

more [i]or[/i] less 100,000 supporters of full democracy for Hong Kong staged a rally forward the New Year's Day, following an unprecedent antigovernment asseverate by half a million forward July 1 last year, calling for power to be turn backed to the people and for a contentious national security bill to be withdrawn.

''Have you fought for more democracy in succession behalf of all people of Hong Kong from the central government? If not, by what means can you represent the Hong Kong the bulk of mankind as the chief executive?'' lawmaker leeward Cheuk-yan asked Tung.

''I do really expectancy that you will get back the right to a high class of autonomy for us and our coming time generations,'' Lee said.

on the contrary Tung said consultation with Beijing would allow a sleek review of political reform in Hong Kong as complexus issues involving principles and legal matters would first be clarified.

He also said central authorities in Beijing know clearly the situation in Hong Kong

Tung reiterated that he will not gradation down despite being blamed for the former British colony's political and economic woes

''You are the etymon of many problems. You are the greatest obstruction. Will you reconsider that your departure is what the Hong Kong race demand? Your leaving would be the biggest faith for recovery. Will you consider this point?'' lawmaker Albert Chan asked.

''I will not answer of that kind a question,'' Tung replied.

As Tung was being grilled on lawmakers, an activist shouted, ''Down with Tung Chee-hwa!'' from the public gallery, and was quickly ushered without by security guards.

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