HONG KONG: Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa yesterday admitted that the SAR government is facing some major challenges, but expressed confidence that his team will "ride them out".

"We remain united to discharge our duties faithfully. We will learn from our experience. We will respond to the aspirations of our citizens as soon as possible," he said.

"Our goal is clear. It is to win back the support and trust of the people."

The government's most important task is "to focus our efforts to maintain the stability and solidarity of the community, and to revive the economy as soon as possible", he said.

He reiterated that the government had an open mind on the channels through which citizens would like to express their views, such as rallies and marches.

"The government will listen to these voices seriously," he said.

Tung made the remark before some opposition groups held rallies outside the Legislative Council building last night.

Organizers said some 40,000 people converged on the heart of the city for a candle-lit vigil to denounce the government and the planned national security bill.

Tsang Hin-chi, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, yesterday criticized "the democratic camp" for always seeking to go to the extreme and creating rifts in society.

What Hong Kong needs is stability instead of disputes. But the "democrats" have taken every chance to sling mud at the government and oppose whatever the government supports, he noted.

"Hong Kong's future will be worrisome" if the situation goes on like this, he warned.

He also called on the media to be fair and objective in their reporting. The government has done much effective work, "but it has never been reported", he said. "All we have heard is voice of opposition."

Gordon Wu, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, yesterday also brushed aside calls for Tung to step down.

He said Tung had done a pretty good job during his term, such as foiling international speculators' attacks on Hong Kong's capital market during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and ushering in the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement between Hong Kong and the mainland.

What Hong Kong needs now is "understanding, trust and unity", he said, quoting Premier Wen Jiabao's words during his recent visit to the city.

On opposition's call for a reshuffle of the Executive Council, ExCo member Tsang Yok-sing told a radio programme yesterday that stability and unity are most needed during times of chaos.

A dismissal or reshuffle of the quasi-cabinet in a rush will make the situation even more unpredictable, he warned.

But he said Security Secretary Regina Ip could be replaced as the official promoting the national security bill.

"I think the government can consider getting another official to handle this (subversion) law because if Ip continues to handle this legislation she will face some difficulty," said Tsang, also chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong.

(HK Edition 07/10/2003 page1)