Financial Secretary John Tsang resigns, paving way for chief executive bid
City’s finance chief has topped popularity ratings for months despite not having coveted green light from Beijing
Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah has tendered his resignation to pave the way for his bid for the chief executive post, joining what is expected to become a crowded field of at least four aspirants jockeying for the votes of the Election Committee.
A government statement issued on Monday afternoon said he would address the media at 6.30pm at the Central Government Offices at Tamar.
His departure comes as a record 46 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballots for the 1,194-member Election Committee, and is widely viewed as a game changer for the race as he has topped the popularity ratings for months, pipping other likely contenders such as government No 2 Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has received Tsang’s resignation and submitted it to the Central People’s Government, a government statement said on Monday.
“Mr Tsang will proceed on leave tomorrow. During this period, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K.C. Chan, will be the Acting Financial Secretary,” the statement continued.
The Post understands that Tsang informed some of his supporters on Monday morning that he would announce his resignation as early as that afternoon.