Beijing may consider alternative candidates in 2017 Hong Kong chief executive poll, says NPC heavyweight Rita Fan
Standing committee member points to Leung Chun-ying’s low ratings and his failure to fully implement his election manifesto
Beijing will consider alternative candidates in the race for Hong Kong’s top job next year if Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying remains unpopular among the public, a pro-Beijing heavyweight said.
The comments were made by National People’s Congress standing committee member Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai towards the end of the two-week annual meeting of the NPC and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing.
READ MORE: A tough Hong Kong leader will widen split, local NPC delegate warns in Beijing
Little sign was given by mainland officials during the sessions on Leung’s prospects for re-election.
Fan, who backed Leung’s rival Henry Tang Ying-yen in the 2012 poll, delivered a harsh summary of Leung’s four years, calling his effort to unite different political factions “ineffective” and the emergence of other pro-establishment contenders “a good thing” in interviews with several broadcasters.
“I guess the central government will look for more alternative possibilities,” Fan told RTHK.
While she said Leung as the incumbent would enjoy certain advantages, “everyone knows that Leung’s popularity rating can’t go up.”
Leung would need to “make greater efforts” in the remainder of his term if he wanted to keep his job, Fan said, suggesting that he should realise his election platform.