Related story: Tsang pledges to live up to expectations of central government, HK citizens

   HONG KONG, June 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The nomination period of the Hong Kong Chief Executive Election ended Thursday afternoon, and Donald Tsang was the sole valid candidate in the Chief Executive (CE) election and has automatically become the Chief Executive designate of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Donald Tsang kisses his wife after claiming victory for the chief executive post during a news conference in HK June 16. (Xinhua)

   The Returning Officer for the Chief Executive Election, Justice Carlye Chu, announced at 5:30 p.m. that the two-week nomination period, which started on June 3, closed at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, and that Donald Tsang was the sole valid candidate in the CE election. According to Article 23 and Article 28 of the Chief Executive Election Bill of Hong Kong, Tsang has won the election and automatically become the Chief Executive designate, she said.

   Tsang has won the support of 674 out of the 796 members of the Election Committee, according to the Returning Officer.

   The Basic Law of the HKSAR stipulates that the CE shall be elected by a broadly representative Election Committee and appointed by the Central People's government.

   Chairman of the Hong Kong Electoral Affairs Commission Woo Kwok-hing said all the arrangements and procedures of the election accorded with the provisions of the Basic Law, the Chief Executive Election Ordinance and other related laws.

Hong Kong's new leader Donald Tsang speaks during a press conference in Hong Kong June 16. (Xinhua)

   "The election was conducted in an open, fair and honest manner. The election is legal and effective," Woo said.

   On March 12, the central government approved Tung Chee Hwa's request for resignation as HKSAR Chief Executive because of health reasons.

   Under the Basic Law and the provisions of the HKSAR's relevant laws, Hong Kong should elect a new chief executive before July 10.

   After being appointed by the Central People's Government, the newly elected CE designate will formally become the CE of the HKSAR.

   Tsang, 61 years old, who served as Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR government, formally announced his running for the CE election on June 2. He said in his policy blueprint that he will act in strict accordance with the Basic Law, implement the principle of "One Country, Two Systems," safeguard the overall and long-term interest of the country and Hong Kong, consolidate Hong Kong's status as Asia's world city, and build a
stable, prosperous Hong Kong in which all its citizens take pride.

   The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, adopted on April 27, 2005 an interpretation on Clause 2, Article 53 of the Basic Law, providing that the term of the office of the next HKSAR Chief Executive shall be the remaining part left by the previous CE, when the office of the CE becomes vacant before the five-year-term expires.

   According to the interpretation and the amendment to the Chief Executive Election Ordinance adopted by the HKSAR's Legislative Council earlier this year, the tenure of the currently by-elected CE will be two years, the remainder of the term of office of the second-term CE. Enditem