They are also gauging the level of public support for, or opposition to, Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang's almost certain succession to the top job.

Beijing's desire to handle the resignation in an orderly manner has been undone by more than a week of often contradictory leaks and news reports creating political uncertainty and anger in Hong Kong and prompting the mainland to dispatch the intelligence officials to find out what went wrong and shape strategy for the future.

As reports of the resignation began emerging last week, operatives from the People's Liberation Army, State Security Bureau and Public Security Bureau were sent to Hong Kong, senior sources said Tuesday.

Their mission is to assess local sentiment on both Tung's resignation and the designation of Tsang as successor.

The intelligence officials, who do not normally operate in Hong Kong, are also here to figure out who leaked the news that Tsang was anointed to succeed Tung.

A senior Beijing source said that Beijing's leaders accepted Tung's resignation and preferred Tsang only as a conditional replacement, leaving open the possibility of other options pending the views of different political forces.

It has been widely noted since the resignation was leaked that a number of pro-Beijing political parties are opposed to Tsang's elevation, viewing him as unreliable.

``Tung's departure pre-empted Beijing's succession plan that sees Tsang as the preferable but temporary replacement for Tung,'' said the source. ``There are reservations within the pro-Beijing camp over Tsang's personality and ruling style.''

Tsang's supporters, on the other hand, have spread the message his long-term civil service experience made him Beijing's inevitable pick.

``Tsang is Beijing's ideal choice and we campaigned for his uncontested succession to the remaining term. This will further consolidate him for the third term race,'' one of Tsang's key sup-porters said.

The secret envoys are also invest-igating how the information on Tung's departure was leaked.

``Why did some local papers get the scoop on Tung's departure, which is classified here as top secret?'' asked a senior source in Beijing.

``This leak has triggered a swirl of speculation and disrupted plans for the succession.''

While the mainland press has been predictably quiet about the leadership crisis, the news has dominated the agenda in Hong Kong.

The use of mainland intelligence agents to analyze conditions in Hong Kong is a recent development.

Before massive protests, the first in July 2003, Beijing kept its hands off Hong Kong on orders from then-President Jiang Zemin. But after the protests, Beijing moved to directly steer political development in the SAR.

Shortly after the demonstrations, Beijing set up a high-profile group to oversee local affairs.

The group, led by Vice-President Zeng Qinghong, consists of chiefs of relevant party and central government departments.

Since then Beijing has sent information-gathering personnel to Hong Kong to give the group first-hand information.

Beijing wants to gather the reaction to Tung's resignation from political and social groups in Hong Kong.

``Definitely Beijing does not want to see chaos of any sort upon Tung's departure,'' the source said.

According to the source, Beijing still has an open mind regarding who will succeed Tung and wants to listen to the opinions of various circles about possible candidates.

While the Hong Kong media has said Tsang is certain to succeed Tung, the source said it still depends on his performance.

carrie.chan2@singtaonewscorp.com

Additional reporting Wu Zhong