A new term for Leung in 2017 will make Hong Kong more radical, says co-founder of Occupy protest movement
2017 will be a watershed for Hong Kong, says Occupy Central co-founder, who predicts tough battle for pan-democrats in upcoming elections
Hong Kong's constitutional development might remain deadlocked in the coming years, but whether Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying can secure a second term in 2017 will be a key watershed for the city, an Occupy Central co-founder says.
Dr Chan Kin-man, one of the key leaders behind the pro-democracy sit-ins last year, believes Hongkongers will become either more radical or cynical should the beleaguered Leung win the next election as that would signal a continued hardline approach by Beijing towards Hong Kong despite widespread public dissatisfaction.
"You could expect an even stronger confrontation by then," said Chan, a sociologist at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in an interview with the South China Morning Post ahead of today's first anniversary of the start of the mass sit-ins.
"Meanwhile, a fairly large number of already disappointed people - who are adopting a wait-and-see attitude for two more years [after the political reform package was voted down] - will make up their mind to move out of Hong Kong if Leung remains in place," he said.