Hong Kong’s crisis deepens as resignations fuel demands

HONG KONG plunged deeper into crisis yesterday after the resignations of two top Cabinet ministers added fuel to demands for democratic change and put further pressure on leader Tung Chee-hwa.

Financial markets were on edge after the resignations of deeply unpopular Security Secretary Regina Ip and Financial Secretary Antony Leung, which raised fresh questions about the government’s ability to revive what was once one of the world’s most dynamic economies.

Mr Tung gave little explanation for the departures on Wednesday and did not name their successors. He kept his usual distance despite pleas from local newspapers to show more leadership.