HONG KONG June 20 Kyodo (EDS: UPD...

HONG KONG June 20 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATES WITH GOV'T STATEMENT)

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa will unveil his fresh lineup of the government's top echelon early nearest week after Beijing approves the appointments, the conduct here said Thursday.

The management said in a statement that Tung has already submitted to the Chinese central restraint the list of principal officials beneath the new accountability system.

The fresh system, the biggest political change to the administration fabric since the territory returned to Chinese authority in 1997, was endorsed by way of the legislature here by a devoted of 36-21 late Wednesday after more than five hours of debate.

subordinate to the reform, principal government officials will become politically responsible appointees and answer to the territory's chief executive, instead of sheer civil servants as they popularly are.

The just discovered team of 14 principal officials will assume office nearest month as Tung's secondary five-year term as chief executive begins July 1

Tung who lay forward the proposed changes solely in April, has argued that the of the present day arrangement will strengthen governance, make the administration more responsive to public demand, and attract just discovered talent into the government

moreover pro-democracy lawmakers and critics here have lashed public at the revamp, saying it is intended to allow Tung whose popularity remains grave to pick his own team for a like reason as to keep a firm grip upon power, rather than improving democratic accountability.

Four unionist lawmakers staged a walkout ahead of the debate at the Legislative Council forward Wednesday to protest an attempt according to the government to rush from one side a plan overhauling the makeup of principal officials, describing its administration as ''high-handed'' and ''haphazard'' and criticizing the lack of adequate public consultation.

All nine amendments propos from pro-democracy legislators to the resolution were defeated Wednesday and Thursday morning after debate.

Local media reported Thursday that the fresh makeup of policy bureau heads will include Chinese University vice chancellor Arthur Li, environmental adroit Sarah Liao and Arts disclosure Council chairman Patrick Ho

Tung is also likely to name James Tien, chairman of the business-oriented Liberal Party, and Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong to the Executive Council, a closed-door organ assisting the chief executive in policy-making, as unofficial members in the overhaul.

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