When local controversies arise over, say, freedom of the press, his response is usually muted. Even when the mainland-outlawed Falungong sect held legal demonstrations in Hong Kong, he felt compelled to issue a stern warning to them to obey the law. But in Hong Kong the chief seems besieged from all sides these days. Homeowners are upset over the steady fall in the value of their apartments. Parents are angry over clumsy attempts to introduce mother-tongue instruction in the classrooms.
Teachers complain about new language-proficiency tests.
Government doctors are upset about the way they will be ranked. In fact, on June 25 several groups took to the streets in a wave of anti-government demonstrations. Three days later the normally tame legislature even handed Tung a historic rebuke by passing a no-confidence motion against two of his administrators. Four days before the motion, Wong resigned in what was a political milestone for Hong Kong. In the territory, department heads behave like cabinet ministers until they get into trouble.