Embattled Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, whose unpopular leadership spawned massive pro-democracy demonstrations, has resigned for personal reasons, local newspapers reported today.
The reports come just weeks after Mr Tung was publicly reprimanded by Chinese President Hu Jintao for his poor performance over the past seven years.
Asked to confirm if Mr Tung had stepped down, a government spokesman said: "We don't comment on speculative reports."
Mr Tung, who will fly to Beijing later today, ignored reporters' questions when he arrived at his office earlier in the day.
Citing unidentified sources, most reports said Mr Tung's right hand man, Chief Secretary Donald Tsang, would be made acting chief executive after Mr Tung's departure,
The Standardnewspaper said Mr Tung handed in his resignation before the Chinese Lunar New Year, which started on February 9 th, adding it was accepted after an emergency meeting of the politburo in Beijing.
Mr Tung (67), said his health had been deteriorating, the newspaper added.
Rumours of his departure have swirled since he was made a member of the top advisory body to China's parliament on Monday, which analysts saw as a precursor to being elevated to vice-chairman of the body.
Such a promotion would pave the way for a graceful exit for Mr Tung and save face for Beijing, which has often had to defend the increasingly unpopular leader in recent years, analysts said.
Mr Tung, a businessman with little political experience, was handpicked by Beijing to be Hong Kong's first chief executive after the British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
But the former shipping tycoon's tenure has been a stormy one, marked by major policy gaffes, resignations and scandals involving key lieutenants and three economic recessions.
Widespread anger with Mr Tung's leadership spurred growing calls for full voting rights and massive street protests, alarming China's communist leaders.