Hong Kong’s next chief executive must stand up for the people
Kevin Rafferty says the office of Hong Kong’s top leader is the toughest in the world, buffeted by a myriad of conflicting interests, but hopefuls must rise to the challenge or the city risks losing its edge
It is vital that the new leader has integrity as well as imagination, and is prepared to stand up against some dark and dangerous forces, or Hong Kong risks being relegated to a second-tier city in China, offering international shopping, spoilt harbour views and a few disappearing colonial experiences.
Yet, with so little time left, we still do not know the final line-up of candidates. The media, including this newspaper, has been assiduous in speculating about who might run and carrying interviews with those who have put themselves forward. But short interviews do not really allow anyone to assess a candidate, let alone judge how they will perform in the hot seat of power.
Seven policy proposals for Hong Kong’s next chief executive
Anyone who has not slept through the past 20 years knows that Beijing is afraid of letting fully fledged democracy loose on its doorstep
Surely we should take with a giant pinch of salt reports suggesting that Beijing is afraid the winning candidate may struggle to get the 700 votes it believes is necessary for the next chief to have the authority to do the job? All it needs is for Xi to whisper who he favours and all but the diehard democrats will lend their support.
Anyone who has not slept through the past 20 years knows that Beijing is afraid of letting fully fledged democracy loose on its doorstep.
Indeed, democracy itself has come under increasing questioning in its Western homeland, given the savagely flawed versions exhibited in voting in the US and the UK recently, with campaigns full of abuse, lies and half-truths.