John Tsang will ‘actively 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
Hong Kong’s finance chief revealed yesterday he was “actively” considering to vie for the city’s top job, saying he received tremendous encouragement from people who desired a halt to the current political gridlock.
Ending a year of speculation about his intention, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah stopped short of making a formal announcement and refrained from saying whether Beijing officials had given him any sign, positively or otherwise.
“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 yesterday.
“They feel there are divisions in society and governance is in difficulties, and ask if the situation could be improved.
“If something is beneficial to Hong Kong and the people of Hong Kong, I would actively consider this,” Tsang said.
While only 1,200 Hongkongers could vote, the choice of the next chief executive would decide whether the direction of governance would change after four years of social polarisation and lack of democratic progress.