A moderate Democrat has been nominated by the pan-democratic camp to compete with a veteran Beijing loyalist for the post of Legislative Council president.
Fred Li Wah-ming, considered a moderate and among the small number of pan-democrats allowed by Beijing to visit the mainland, is competing against Tsang Yok-sing of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
'If I become Legco president, I will let people see that I will be fair and impartial,' Mr Li said. 'I am sure my track record as house committee deputy chairman would be an advantage.'
He said he would abstain from voting to remain impartial, unlike Mr Tsang, who earlier indicated he might break with the convention set by outgoing Legco president Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai of not voting during meetings.
Mr Li said he would also consider leaving the Democratic Party if that was the wish of his Legco colleagues. His prospects hinge on decisions by the Liberal Party and independent lawmakers, because the pan-democrats can only muster 23 votes. The 60 lawmakers will cast votes for the new president on October 8.
Mr Tsang said he welcomed the competition, adding that as president he would not insist on casting votes during meetings if legislators preferred that.