I’ve become victim of white terror, Hong Kong chief executive candidate Carrie Lam says

Former chief secretary tells forum for chief executive candidates that online criticism has extended to supporters, including actress Josephine Siao

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Woo Kwok-hing (left), Professional Teachers' Union president Fung Wai-wah, Carrie Lam and John Tsang attend the election forum in Cheung Sha Wan. Photo: David Wong

Published: 11:15pm, 12 Mar 2017Updated: 12:06am, 13 Mar 2017

Considered Beijing’s favourite as Hong Kong’s next leader, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor claimed she had become a victim of “white terror”, accusing her opponents of resorting to rhetorical attacks against even those who voiced support for her bid.

The former government No 2 also tried to play down the symbolic hug given by former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa last December, saying they usually “hug as a greeting” when they meet, as sources said Tung had asked pro-establishment figures in Beijing to vote for “the person he had hugged”.

Lam raised the “white terror” issue on Sunday during an otherwise bland forum in which she went head-to-head for the first time with rivalsJohn Tsang Chun-wah and Woo Kwok-hing.

The two-hour forum, held at a primary school in Cheung Sha Wan, was organised by the Hong Kong Professional Teachers’ Union, which has 43 votes in the 1,194-member Election Committee that will pick the city’s next chief executive on March 26.

The candidates took 13 questions from the 400 people in the audience.

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