THE chairman of the leading pro-China party, Tsang Yok-sing, said yesterday that he would not stand against Liberal Party leader Allen Lee Peng-fei in Tai Po in September's Legislative Council elections.
He said he was pulling out because of intense lobbying by friends and allies.
Instead, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) will field Tai Po District Board chairman Cheung Hok-ming for the New Territories Northeast seat.
Mr Tsang's announcement ended months of speculation about a head-on clash between the two leading pro-China figures and how China would manoeuvre to prevent it.
Mr Tsang had said he was keen on the Tai Po constituency because the DAB had a solid base of support in the district. Mr Lee, however, insisted that he stood a better chance of winning.
Mr Tsang said he would either get a seat in Legco via the election committee, or choose to contest another geographical constituency.
