Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Henry Tang said on June 17 in the evening he was pleased to see that "the new Chief Executive has been returned smoothly, on schedule and in an open and fair manner. "

Speaking to the media in the lobby of Central Government Offices, Tang said the the nonimation period of the Chief Executive Election ended Thursday afternoon and that the Returning Officer for the Chief Executive Election declared that Donald Tsang, being the only validly nominated candidate, has been declared elected ipso facto.

Tang said he will report to the State Council, China's Cabinet, that the Chief Executive Election has been completed in accordance with the law so that the Central People's Government can deal with the appointment of the new Chief Executive according to the Basic Law.

He said he was equally pleased to see that various sectors of the Hong Kong community participated actively in the election activities.

He added that all principal officials and members of the civil service will continue to do their best as they prepare for the new Chief Executive to take office.

The chairman of the Electoral Affairs commission, Woo Kwok-hing, also said Thursday afternoon, "The election is lawful and valid."

Source: Xinhua