Hong Kong chief executive election 2017

Hong Kong chief executive election 2017 John Tsang will ‘fully consider’ joining race for Hong Kong’s chief executive job Financial chief will make decision if he finds it is best for the city in the long term PUBLISHED : Saturday, 03 December, 2016, 12:14pm UPDATED : Saturday, 03 December, 2016, 12:14pm COMMENTS: 4 Stuart Lau Stuart Lau 4SHARE 4 PrintEmail RELATED TOPICS Hong Kong chief executive election 2017 Related Articles Antony Leung Kam-chung spoke at the SCMP China Conference. Photo: Nora Tam POLITICS Unity in city elusive if John Tsang can’t run: Antony Leung 2 Dec 2016 Zhang Dejiang (centre) spoke strong words about calls for Hong Kong independence. Photo: AFP POLITICS Advocating independence will bring calamity, says Zhang 29 Nov 2016 Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying meets the press before the weekly Exco meeting. Photo: Dickson Lee POLITICS Asked if he can ‘bring hope’, CY points to housing policy 29 Nov 2016 Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah has said he would “actively consider” running for the top job next year if he concludes that it is best for the city’s long-term interests. Tsang said “many people” encouraged him to vie for the top job, addressing the chief executive election in the most direct way, after a year of speculation that he was eyeing the position. –– ADVERTISEMENT –– “Many people, no matter if they know me or not – or even those on the internet – are very supportive of me joining the election,” Tsang said on Commercial Radio on Saturday. “They feel there are divisions in society and governance is in difficulties, and ask if the situation could be improved.” But Tsang, who has controlled Hong Kong’s finances for nine years and started his career as a colonial civil servant, also noted that some were against him aiming higher. Unity elusive for Hong Kong if John Tsang cannot run, former financial minister Antony Leung says “Many people told me not to run ... because someone would launch smear tactics against you, attack you, or even disturb your family members,” he said. It would come down to Hong Kong’s long-term interests when he decides, he said. “It’s not about personal gain or loss, after all,” he said. “It’s whether the decision will contribute to Hong Kong’s overall interests. If something is beneficial to Hong Kong and the people of Hong Kong, I would actively consider this and finally make a decision even if [I] would be attacked and personally affected.” He did not say when he would make his plan known. Amid speculation that he had been dissuaded by Beijing officials from electioneering, Tsang likened such information to “entertainment news”. “Don’t be so serious about news without attribution,” he added. Incumbent Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying had not announced if he would seek re-election, while executive and legislative councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee was expected to make an announcement in the near future. Former High Court judge Woo Kwok-hing, who has a slim chance of winning even with enough nominations, is the only notable figure who has officially thrown his hat in the ring.