The Chief Justice, Sir Ti Liang Yang, said yesterday he was standing down to contest the post of chief executive, but denied he had been encouraged to do so by Beijing.
Hong Kong's top judge ended days of speculation by announcing his candidature, saying he had decided to do so because of his belief in the future of Hong Kong rather than for personal gain.
But when asked if Beijing had signalled for him to stand, he replied: 'Oh no, oh no.' Sir Ti Liang, 67, said although he intended to resign, he would not be taking an active electioneering role to win the post. 'I hope my chances are good,' he said.
News of Sir Ti Liang's renewed interest in the job broke at the weekend after it was widely tipped Beijing favoured shipping tycoon Tung Chee-hwa. Mr Tung has yet to say if he wants the post.
The first high-profile figure to enter the contest, Sir Ti Liang said: 'There are other candidates, one or two haven't declared their intention.' He confirmed he had been approached by local Preparatory Committee member Xu Simin, but said the actual decision to stand 'didn't take long' once he had been approached.
Sir Ti Liang, currently on holiday in Britain, is due to return to the territory early next month.
He became Hong Kong's first local Chief Justice in 1988 and his term of office was due to end next March, but he said details concerning his early retirement had yet to be finalised.
