Barrister and lawmaker Ronny Tong, for instance, questioned Beijing's motives behind elevating Hong Kong's embattled leader as vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

It means Tung will probably be elected a vice-chairman of the key body, which advises Beijing leaders, Thursday.

A spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office said Tung is pleased with the nomination and will leave for Beijing tomorrow to attend the third session of the 10th National Committee of the CPPCC, starting Thursday.

Tung is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the third session of the 10th National People's Congress, the mainland parliament, Saturday.

Tong said he agrees that Beijing may be rewarding Tung for his years of service, but added that he is surprised the appointment came so early.

The vice-chairmanship of the CPPCC is a reward to mainland officials who are about to retire and Tung's imminent appointment will come two years ahead of his departure from two terms as chief executive.

Sources in Beijing said Sunday that Tung's likely appointment as vice-chairman is possibly a face-saving way for him to leave office before 2007.

Tong said the prospect of Tung's early retirement is unlikely, but should that happen, it would give the central government the opportunity to delay the proposed election reform in 2007. Minor changes are being proposed by the government in the method of selection for the next chief executive and the Legislative Council election in 2008.

While Beijing has ruled out universal suffrage, one probable change is expanding the Election Committee, which picks the chief executive, from the current 800 members.

``If Tung leaves his post within this year, we will need to re-elect a new chief executive within six months [of his departure]. The successor will have a new five-year term,'' Tong said.

He said the next chief executive election will be in 2010, ``enabling the central government to have a few more years to decide the future direction of political development in Hong Kong.''

However, a Beijing expert who specializes in China-Hong Kong relations, said that should Tung be appointed as vice-chairman of the CPPCC later this week, it will boost his authority.

At the CPPCC Standing Committee meeting, held in Beijing Monday, members passed a resolution to add Tung and nine other Hong Kong members to the CPPCC.

Apart from Tung, other prominent figures include Central Government Liaison Office Vice-Director Wang Fengchao, Liberal Party lawmaker Selina Chow, Alliance lawmaker Lui Ming-wah and Phoenix TV chairman Liu Changle.

After Monday's meeting, local CPPCC Standing Committee member and Asia Television chief executive Chan Wing-kee said Tung's appointment as a CPPCC member will help the governance of Hong Kong.

``It will benefit future communication between Beijing and Hong Kong. If [Tung is elected vice-chairman], it will further raise his authority and subsequently lift Hong Kong's status [in the eyes of Beijing],'' Chan said.

Zhang Tongxin, director of the China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Research Center at the Renmin University in Beijing, said Tung's appointment also shows that the central government wants to hear Hong Kong views.

``If Tung is a CPPCC vice-chairman and voices his opinions at a meeting, his suggestions will be powerful and authoritative,'' Zhang said in a television interview.

Zhang also believes that as vice-chairman, Tung will have greater access to Beijing leaders.

A CPPCC source said it would be illogical for Beijing to cut short Tung's term as Chief Executive because the economy is flourishing. But others said Tung will just be a figurehead with real power resting with Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang.

A CPPCC Standing Committee member said if Tung ``does not leave immediately after the closing of the plenary, he will be definitely sidelined as a figurehead.'' The member added: ``No one knows what will happen if Tsang acts as surrogate chief executive. He [Tsang] may be exposed to more political risks that eliminate his chances to run or he may prove capable and win Beijing's blessing.''

City University political analyst James Sung said too much has been read into Tung's appointment.

``After sustaining years of attack from [the public], it is natural Tung will be rewarded by the central government, even though it is a bit early,'' he said.

michael.ng@singtaonewscorp.com