08 Aug 2004 18:47 UTC
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong chairman Ma Lik says Sunday his doctors have advised him to sit out the campaign because he needs immediate treatment.
His condition is a further blow to his party's hopes to gain Council seats.
On July 1, hundreds of thousands of pro-democracy residents took to the streets to protest Beijing's April ruling that only 30 of the Council's 60 lawmakers can be elected directly by voters.
The remaining legislators will be picked by professional and business groups.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.
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The leader of Hong Kong's pro-Beijing party says he has colon cancer and cannot campaign for the September 12 Legislative Council elections.
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Mr. Ma said he will remain in his post as party chairman and stay as Hong Kong's delegate to the mainland National People's Congress.