Former Legislative Council president Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai has hinted she would be prepared to run in next year's chief executive election if her 'favourite candidate' does not.
The Beijing loyalist said that if her favourite, whom she did not name, decided to run he would have her unconditional support
'[But] if I find no candidate is acceptable, then I cannot rule out that I shall run. Of course, if I find none of the candidates acceptable, I should consider running.'
Fan, a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, has been widely tipped to seek selection as a candidate for chief executive, although there is speculation that she is not Beijing's number one choice.
A leading political observer saw her remarks as a hint that she would not run, saying she was seen as a supporter of Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen and it was 'highly unlikely' that he would not run.
Elaborating on her remarks, Fan said 'unconditional support' meant that she would back her favourite candidate without seeking a role in his election team or a post in his government.
She later added: 'At this moment, there is one [whom I find acceptable] ... his experience and competence is up to the public to analyse.'