Hong Kong has asked Beijing to interpret its constitution’s provisions on the replacement of a chief executive, in a move that will further deepen tensions with the territory’s pro-democracy movement.

Donald Tsang, who took over as acting chief executive last month following the resignation of Tung Chee-hwa two years before his term ended, told legislators on Wednesday he had asked China’s State Council, or cabinet, to ask a committee in the national legislature to interpret the Basic Law at the end of this month.