Tung Chee-hwa is standing firm

Mr Tung has been under increasing pressure in the wake of protests at the beginning of July against a controversial anti-subversion bill, which critics said could erode political and religious freedoms.

Two of his senior ministers resigned on Wednesday, fuelling calls for Mr Tung to step down himself.

At a media briefing on Thursday, Mr Tung admitted that the public dissent had left him "sleepless".

He vowed to hold more meetings with political parties, the media and community leaders to increase his accountability to Hong Kong's citizens.

He also said he would open new consultations before he passed the anti-subversion bill to the Legislative Council - a procedure he was forced to delay as a result of the protests.

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But he reiterated that the territory needed to enact the legislation in line with the Basic Law agreed when Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Mounting crisis

The mass rally on 1 July left Mr Tung facing the biggest crisis in his political career.

ARTICLE 23 BILL Outlaws: Reporting state "secrets" Criticism of Beijing authority Access to "subversive" material Threatens currently legal groups, such as Falun Gong Q&A: HK's anti-subversion law

The resignation on Wednesday of two key government officials - Security Secretary Regina Ip and Finance Secretary Antony Leung - has once again put his position in the spotlight.

There was a further set-back for Mr Tung on Thursday when new statistics showed the territory's unemployment rate at a record 8.6% for the three months to June.

The Hang Seng Index fell by a modest 0.9%, but many investors are expected to wait until after Mr Tung visits Beijing on Saturday before reacting to the latest developments.

Mr Tung is due to brief senior Chinese officials on the current crisis in the territory, and suggest possible replacements for the two departing ministers.

There has been a mixed reaction in Hong Kong to the two ministerial resignations.

Some politicians welcomed the departure of Regina Ip - a key supporter of Article 23 - saying her resignation could open the way for more public consultations about the bill.

But there has also been criticism of Mr Tung's handling of the resignations, and his failure to immediately appoint successors.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Hong Kong leader announced that Ms Ip had resigned for "personal reasons".

Hours afterwards, he confirmed that Antony Leung had also stepped down - a move which critics say was undoubtedly connected to a luxury car scandal involving Mr Leung.

Earlier in the day, the territory's Justice Department had announced it was considering whether to prosecute Mr Leung over his purchase of a new car shortly before raising vehicle taxes in March.