Donald Tsang

Hong Kong's interim leader says he will ask China to interpret the section of the territory's Basic Law that covers the term length for its chief executive.

Donald Tsang says he is making the request to avoid legal challenges that could derail the July 10 election to pick a successor to Tung Chee-hwa, who resigned last month with two years remaining on his five-year term.

The Hong Kong government says Mr. Tung's successor will only serve out those two years, but pro-democracy activists say that violates the city's Basic Law, which says each elected chief executive will serve a full five-year term. The opposition fears that Beijing's involvement could compromise the territory's autonomy.

Mr. Tsang is expected to win the July vote.