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July 11, 2011

Wang Guangya, director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, cites three qualities he believes Hong Kong's next leader must have: 'love for the motherland and Hong Kong', 'a high level of ability', and 'a high degree of acceptance among the general public'.

September 20

Leung Chun-ying quits his job as convenor of the Executive Council, as expected, to run for the city's top job.

September 28

Chief secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen resigns, clearing the way for his campaign. He is widely speculated to be Beijing's preferred choice.

October 4

Tang and his wife Lisa Kuo Yu-chin issue a joint statement confirming Tang had extramarital affairs in the past, following weeks of speculation on the subject, but the pair say 'difficult times' in their marriage are over.

November 26

Tang formally announces his intention to run in the race to become Hong Kong's next leader. 

November 27

Leung Chun-ying declares his candidacy.

December 6

Leung accuses newspaper Sing Tao Daily of using smear tactics to undermine his public image after the paper publishes reports about his private investments.

December 20

More than 1,000 people, including tycoons, political heavyweights and pop stars, turn out at the Convention and Exhibition Centre to support Tang's bid.

January 4, 2012

The candidates begin detailing their election platforms.

January 18

Tang is forced to deny allegations his team tried to influence the timing of the release of a candidate popularity poll done by Baptist University.

February 4

Criticism is levelled at Tang after he refuses to attend debates with the other candidates, which he says should be held after the nominations period.

February 8

Allegations are made against Leung that he failed to declare a conflict of interest in a contest for a tender regarding the West Kowloon Reclamation Concept Plan Competition in 2001.

February 9

Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan is chosen as the representative of the pan-democrats for the race.

February 13

After intense media speculation, Tang admits there is an unauthorised structure at a property owned by his family in Kowloon Tong. 

February 15

Local newspaper Sharp Daily publishes a set of floor plans said to be of Tang's 2,400 square foot basement at York Road, showing it contains a store room, fitness room, changing room, cinema and a wine tasting room.

February 16

Tang issues an apology over the illegal structure, claiming it was his wife's idea. 

February 17

Speculation mounts that another candidate may join the race as Tang fights to salvage his campaign amid the illegal structures row. Legco president Tsang Yok-sing and New People's Party  chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee begin canvassing support. 

February 20

Tang, with 379 nominations from the 1,200-strong Election Committee, formally signs up for the race.

February 21

Tang denies media reports he had an affair with Esther Lam, daughter of Heung Yee Kuk vice-chairman Daniel Lam Wai-keung. 

February 23

Leung formally joins the race with 292 nominations. The following day the government releases some documents related to his conflict of interest row. 

February 29

The nomination period ends with Tang submitting a final tally of 390, Leung 305 and Ho 188.

March 5

Tang faces questions he fathered an illegitimate child. He declines to confirm or deny the rumours. 

March 6

Reports surface that a dinner attended by Leung's campaign officers with rural leaders in Yuen Long on February 10 was also attended by a controversial businessman suspected to have triad links.

March 9

Wang Guangya says both Tang and Leung are acceptable choices to the central government. 

March 16

The three candidates face off in a live televised debate, in which Leung comes off the best performer according to opinion polls. Tang reveals that Leung had spoken of using riot police and tear gas against protesters opposed to national security legislation in a confidential government meeting in 2003. Three days later they meet again at another debate attended by Election Committee members.



Will the real C.Y. stand up?