Previous coverage of Tung's resignation: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

It is now semi-official. Tung Chee-hwa is expected to announce his resignation after his appointment to a vice-chairman position with the CPPCC on Saturday. It would be appropriate he annoucne the resignation in Beijing, Hong Kong's capital. The week long delay is being blamed on mainland officals holding up the process. Tung returned to the Big Lychee yesterday, this time with the praise and warmth of China's leadership ringing in his ears. This time President Hu was complimentary of Tung and his Government, in stark contrast to the public criticism he delivered in December. The remaining issue is the length of the replacement Chief Executive's (CE) term. The Basic Law makes it clear it should be 5 years. However Beijing is believed to want Donald Tsang, the likely successor, to serve only the remaining 2 years in Tung's term for reasons discussed previously. This will involve another "re-interpretation" of the Basic Law by the NPC. With a straight face China Premier Wen Jiabao said the central government will resolutely uphold the "one country, two systems" principle and adhere to the Basic Law.