Candidates vying to be Hong Kong's first chief executive next year should be required to outline their policy platforms and give the public an insight into their backgrounds, a key planner for the election said.
Leung Chun-ying, a vice-chairman of the Preparatory Committee, lent his support to calls for nominees to face the people of the future Special Administrative Region over which the winner will preside.
Mr Leung, who earlier ruled himself out of the race, said he agreed that candidates should at least introduce themselves.
There is no provision in handover agreements for the chief executive or candidates to have to do so, and he or she will not be elected by public franchise but chosen by a 400-member Selection Committee to be formed in October.
There have been vocal calls, including that from former legislator and influential businessman Helmut Sohmen, for chief executive hopefuls to publicise their platforms so the public can comment on them before the choice is made.
Mr Leung said it was unlikely that the several candidates tipped to contest the poll would make any early announcements about their vision for Hong Kong.
'They'll probably wait until the last minute,' he said. 'Like the appointment of governors of Hong Kong, you'll only know at the very last moment.' Committee colleague Professor Lau Siu-kai pointed out there were great restraints on contenders 'treading the line of mass politics'.