Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang called on legislators to be fair and objective in their assessments of the Chief Executive.

In a motion debate moved by Albert Chan calling for Tung Chee Hwa's resignation today, Mr Tsang said Hong Kong has not faced as many challenges in the past century as it has in the past six years. The motion was defeated.

He said one of the major challenges was the implementation of the "One Country, Two Systems" principle.

The objective was to transform Hong Kong from a British colony into a Special Administrative Region of China. Now, after six years, not only the Central Government, but also Britain, the European Parliament, the US and the United Nations recognise the success of the "One Country, Two Systems" formula in Hong Kong.

"[Back] then, the whole world, including many Hong Kong people, were suspicious of this bold and new concept. They hoped this dream would come true, but at the same time became wary that it could not materialise," Mr Tsang said.

"We knew that if 'One Country, Two Systems' could not succeed, any good prospects for Hong Kong would be in vain. And, under the leadership of Tung Chee Hwa, Hong Kong has realised the concept."

Mr Tsang said Mr Tung ran for his first and second terms as Chief Executive because of his commitment to the country and Hong Kong's future.

He said the Government has tackled the financial crisis decisively and wisely, and effected a series of reforms that showed remarkable foresight.

All this work, he stressed, proceeded under the leadership of Mr Tung.

The 2003 Policy Address has drawn the blueprint of forging closer economic co-operation with the Mainland, making full use of Hong Kong's advantages geographically and politically to have closer co-operation with the Pearl River Delta.

Close economic integration between Hong Kong and the delta region has become the general trend in our economic development. Mr Tung has done a lot in the process of transforming Hong Kong economically, Mr Tsang said.

The Central Government and its leaders have been giving him support and showing confidence in him. These are necessary for the successful implementation of "One Country, Two Systems", stabilising Hong Kong's economy and its social development, he said.

Mr Tung and the Government have been working hard for the long-term interests and sustainable development of Hong Kong, and fighting hard to beat SARS.

Mr Tsang said in the past few years, some councillors had endeavoured to move motions against Mr Tung's Government.

"However, all such motions have been defeated in the council, indicating that their attacks on the Government and the Chief Executive have not had wide support in the community."

Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung said: "It is unfortunate that some legislators do not appreciate our robust maintenance of the rule of law, while this is acclaimed internationally."

Ms Leung cited the positive comments from other jurisdictions, including the US' Hong Kong Policy Act Report of April 1, the Six Monthly Report on Hong Kong to the UK Parliament in February, and the Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament of August last year.

She said the rule of law is entrenched constitutionally and human rights are protected under the Basic Law.

"We have a well established legal system and a robust and independent judiciary. These underpin and control the good governance of Hong Kong, and guarantee that Hong Kong's freedoms will remain."

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam said the accountability system has only been implemented for 10 months and it is premature to arbitrarily conclude that it has failed its purpose.