Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said Friday his government has decided to withdraw the drafted National Security Bill, known as the Article 23 of the Basic Law.

Tung said his decision was made amid lingering worries among the public over the bill, and because he felt Hong Kong should focus on making an economic recovery.

"I have listened to a lot of opinions, what our citizens care about the most at the moment are economic matters," Tung said.

Hong Kong was hit by the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, and is currently battling record unemployment of 8.7 percent and deepening deflation.

This past year's SARS outbreak, which killed 299 people in Hong Kong, worsened the situation by prompting travel warnings that devastated Hong Kong's tourism and other business.

Legislative support for the bill unraveled following a public protest on July 1, and the bill was put on hold.

The failed first attempt to pass the bill shook Tung's administration, spurring the resignations of Financial Secretary Antony Leung and security chief Regina Ip.

Tung said the government will not introduce a new version of the bill until it has consulted thoroughly with the public and gained support. He said the government has no timetable to introduce a new bill.

"We won't begin a new legislative process if we do not have a thorough consultation or extensive support from the public," he said.

(China Daily September 5, 2003)