want to interfere with Hong Kong as this will have an unfavourable effect on the international community. But Beijing fears that it will lose its sovereign hold on Hong Kong. The chief executive therefore acts us a buffer to strike a balance between sovereignty and a high de ree of autonomy. As a symbol of the Central Government's sovereignty, the chief executive should be someone acceptable to both the Central Government and Hongkong people. He cannot be easily removed from office through a vote of non-confidence.