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John Tsang
Hong KongPolitics

Impossible to govern without the public’s support, Hong Kong chief executive contender John Tsang says

The chief executive hopeful tells how public support could make or break the city’s next leader

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Chief executive hopeful John Tsang Chun-wah. Photo: Dickson Lee
Jeffie LamandJoyce Ng
In a veiled reference to his arch-rival, chief executive contender John Tsang Chun-wah suggested that any candidate who hopes to win without the support of the wider Hong Kong public would end up “not being able to govern”.
The popular underdog in the race suggested that the winner’s legitimacy also rested on their popularity and endorsement from the public, not just the votes of the Election Committee.

The former financial secretary is in a tight race with his ex-colleague Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, whose popularity continues to lag behind Tsang’s. But his competitor has managed to secure the support of pro-establishment voters, which make up two-thirds of the 1,194-member committee.

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Watch: John Tsang talks to SCMP about his CE bid, Silver Surfer and Bruce Lee

Citing overwhelming support from the general public, Tsang yesterday remained confident that he could obtain the 150 nominations required to officially enter the race. He said the HK$4.8 million he raised through a crowdfunding drive and thousands of supportive messages on his Facebook page were evidence of the public’s backing.

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