In the dock

FOLLOWING a huge public display of displeasure with his leadership, Hong Kong's chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, has been forced to make big concessions to his pro-democracy critics. By watering down a controversial internal-security bill and then delaying plans to present it to the legislature, Mr Tung has sought to defuse a mounting political crisis. But by doing so he has badly dented his authority, and shaken China's confidence in its ability to control the territory. The crisis shows no sign of abating.