Hong Kong's Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa's office refuted Monday a report of Tung's early retirement.

Spokesman with Tung's office issued a statement saying the report was groundless and pure fabrication. He also expressed his regret over the report.

Hong Kong's latest issue of Express Weekly reported that Tung had expressed the willingness of early retirement to the Chinese central government after this year's National Day which falls on Oct. 1.

(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2004)