Henry Tang says Antony Leung 'qualified' to run for chief executive

A second former minister has endorsed Antony Leung Kam-chung as a chief executive candidate in 2017.

Henry Tang Ying-yen, a loser in last year's chief executive race, said Leung, a former financial secretary, was qualified for the position.

Some political observers have suggested Leung could throw his hat in the ring for what is expected to be the first election of a chief executive by universal suffrage.

Leung - who is 62 next month and is married to mainland diving star Fu Mingxia - has scoffed at the suggestion he might stand for the top job. Still, he has begun to gain support from the Beijing loyalist camp. Tang is arguably the most influential member of that camp to voice his opinion.

"Antony has very long experience and is a capable person in terms of both the financial industry and his years in the Executive Council," Tang said yesterday.

"If he is interested, I will encourage him."

Tang, who was chief secretary before joining the campaign trail and ultimately losing to Leung Chun-ying, added: "I would encourage everyone who is qualified and interested in serving the people to come out and present themselves to the people, and let the people choose."