HONG KONG — British Prime Minister Tony Blair praised the decision by Hong Kong's leader to withdraw an anti-subversion bill following a massive protest, saying Wednesday it shows the former colony can handle such disputes without breaking down.
The fight over the bill drew a protest by 500,000 people on July 1, stunning Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and throwing his government into an unprecedented reversal that raised fears about China's reaction.
The measure is now on hold, though officials told Hong Kong legislators Wednesday they will present a new proposal for public consultation in September.
Winding up his Asian tour after meeting with Tung, Blair said: "The authorities here are very much listening to what people are saying, and everyone wants to move forward in a way where we maintain the essential stability that is a crucial part of the success of Hong Kong."
Britain, which ruled Hong Kong for 156 years, says it has a political and moral responsibility to the territory and wants to see full democracy here. But China is sensitive about interference in Hong Kong issues, and Blair has spoken carefully.
Blair's remarks to reporters cut a fine line between the concerns of those who want local freedoms protected and view the measure as a threat — and the governments in Beijing and Hong Kong that see it as essential for stability.
He noted that Beijing's low-key response to the mass protest makes it look like it is respecting the so-called "one country, two systems" government system installed at the handover, which allows for Western-style civil liberties that would be unheard of in mainland China.
Beijing's new leaders backed Tung after he promised to listen more carefully to Hong Kongers' concerns following the rally July 1 — the sixth anniversary of Hong Kong's return from Britain to China.
"The disagreement has given rise to much speculation that it represents a crisis for the system," Blair said in a luncheon speech Wednesday. "Actually, it indicates that despite difficulty there is sufficient flexibility in the system to allow a disagreement to surface and be overcome."
Blair decided to end his trip a day early and fly out of Hong Kong on Wednesday afternoon to avoid a typhoon that was heading toward southern China after hitting the Philippines.
Opposition lawmaker Emily Lau accused Blair of going too soft on Hong Kong and griped he had canceled a meeting with legislators yet found time for the territory's richest man, billionaire tycoon Li Ka-shing.
"Even in Beijing, he answered questions," Lau said, referring to a session Blair held earlier on his trip with students in the Chinese capital. "What has he got to fear in Hong Kong?"
Tung's troubles intensified last week when he announced the resignations of two key Cabinet secretaries — for security and finance. Tung has pledged to overcome the crisis by adopting a more open and responsive approach to public concerns.
Blair's tour, meanwhile, has been dogged by the suicide of British defense adviser David Kelly, who leaked information to the British Broadcasting Corp. that raised questions about London's use of intelligence to justify the war in Iraq.
Some critics have said Blair should have gone home and dealt with the issue, but he carried on with his tour and weighed in on many other world troubles.
Early Wednesday, Blair hailed the killing of two "evil" sons of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and called it "a great day for the new Iraq."
Blair said Tuesday his meetings with China's leaders left the impression talks to resolve the nine-month-old North Korean nuclear standoff would resume within "a few weeks".