Economist.com | Hong Kong's freedoms: "TUNG CHEE-HWA had been adamant. The pro-Beijing chief executive of Hong Kong was determined to push through controversial anti-subversion legislation on Wednesday July 9th, and huge street protests last week would not deter him. But Mr Tung's confidence faltered when a key ally of his, James Tien, chairman of the pro-business Liberal Party, resigned from the executive council, Hong Kong's senior policymaking body, late on Sunday. Mr Tien had been so worried by the scale of the protest�up to half a million people�that he had flown to Beijing to consult the Hong Kong and Macau Office, then said he believed the government should postpone the reading of the bill. " Proof that protesting works.