Vincent Fang expected to take over Liberal leadership

Wholesale and retail lawmaker Vincent Fang Kang is expected to succeed James Tien Pei-chun - who was stripped of his seat on the nation's top political advisory body last week for asking Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to consider quitting - as Liberal Party leader.

A senior source from the pro-business party told the South China Morning Post that the party leadership had reached the consensus that Fang would take up the post of party leader when the leadership election was held early next month.

Ivan Choy Chi-keung, a political scientist at Chinese University, said there was no better alternative than Fang to lead the Liberal Party given his seniority in the party.

"But the choice of Fang, who is already 71, shows that there is a dearth of heavyweights as veteran leaders like Tien and party chairwoman Selina Chow [Liang Shuk-yee] are fading out," Choy said.

Fang, who became a legislator representing the wholesale and retail sector in 2004, is currently party vice-chairman. He will serve as party leader until 2016.

Fang said yesterday his party was still discussing the leadership change. "I have my strengths such as my seniority in the party, mild character and good interpersonal [skills]. But I'm afraid, given my age, I may not be able to cope with the workload if I take up the post of party leader."