Carrie Lam says she and CY Leung are ‘totally different people’ in attempt to distance herself from outgoing chief executive
Former chief secretary and contender for city’s top job says she has good relationship with lawmakers thanks to decades of government experience
The former chief secretary on Wednesday appeared to distance herself from the “Leung Chun-ying 2.0” label pinned on her by critics, as well as from being seen as Beijing’s preferred choice, a perception enhanced by repeated endorsements from the city’s pro-China newspapers.
Appearing on two radio shows, Lam clarified her earlier remarks on wishing to continue Leung’s policies, saying she did not mean she would follow in his footsteps if she won the March election.
“Mr Leung and I are two totally different types of people. It can be seen through the governance,” Lam said. “This election would be on my own effort. I am confident enough to run in this election.”
She said she had met central government officials to discuss quitting her job to run for chief executive, but saw “no need” to visit Beijing’s liaison office because of the election, which she hoped would be “fair and impartial”.
Lam attributed the strong support for her from some newspapers as the normal media practice of taking stances, and it was ultimately up to the public to judge. A few papers had been critical of her since she expressed an interest in the race, she pointed out.