Leung re-appointed as justice secretary

tThe authorities in Hong Kong have announced that the justice secretary, Elsie Leung, is to remain in office for another two years.

Correspondents say the decision to extend Ms. Leung's tenure is politically sensitive, since she faced heavy criticism over her handling of the territory's law following the handover to China in 1997.

Critics accused Ms.Leung of compromising the former British colony's judicial independence by seeking a re-interpretation of the post-handover constitution from the Beijing authorities to block an expected influx of immigrants from the Chinese mainland.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms. Leung defended her past actions and said that she was re-appointed because the administration was satisfied with her work.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service