If Chan retires, Financial Secretary Donald Tsang or Constitutional Affairs Secretary Michael Suen - both perceived as more Tung-friendly - could replace her.

CNN: NOW, TUNG THE REFORMER?

There was speculation locally that Beijing might be prepared to consider Chan for higher office, but this was given little credence by most analysts, as Financial Secretary Donald Tsang's stock has been rising recently as the leading alternative to Tung.

CNN: Intelligence: The Week Ahead