While Woo Kwok-hing has been the only person so far to formally announced his bid, Regina Ip is expected to follow suit soon after. Carrie Lam said she would seriously reconsider joining the race, while John Tsang is widely tipped to run.

Jasper Tsang Yok-sing has seemingly backed away from his previous declaration to consider running if the candidates did not offer a “real choice” for voters.

On Saturday, Tsang said he would reconsider whether there was an actual need to enter his candidacy since Leung had given up on re-election.

Hayley Mak, clinical researcher at a pharmaceutical company aged in her 30s

“(Leung Chun-ying) wasn’t able to bring the whole city together, he’s not a suitable leader. Now here’s a chance for somebody else to layout a different vision.”

“It’s hard to say whether [there will be any change] since China has so much control over Hong Kong. The new leader needs to bring people together and also make China understand they have to handle people here with more care.”

Sam Ho, 37, construction sector worker

“I don’t hold any expectation for the new chief executive as we don’t have the right to choose those who could run in the election. It all depends on whether the higher authority favours the person.”

James Cheng, 20s, consultant

“The problem is not only limited to Leung, but the entire system. The central government could continue to use other tricks to cheat us and I am not optimistic at all.”

Leung Lok-yi, 20, student

“I think John Tsang is a person who listens to the people and is not as hard handed as Carrie Lam and Regina Ip. He is good at communicating and is not biased to just supporting the central government.”

Rex Lee, a businessman

“(Regina Ip) has that personality and dares to speak and act. She could bring some changes [to the city].”