What ordinary Hong Kong people thought about the chief executive election
Some were willing to give Carrie Lam a chance while others were deeply disappointed about the result and one said Beijing should appoint the city’s leader
Scott Ho Chun-sang, 35,a clothing store employee who lives in Kwun Tong,was surprised by the result as he expected Tsang to win.
“I’m not sure [if Carrie Lam will be a good chief executive]. But John Tsang is better, I think. I think everyone needs to vote. I feel too small a group of people can [choose].”
Kit-ling Chan, 45, an event manager from Kowloon, was not surprised by the result, although she wanted Tsang to win.
“[Lam] works hard, but she works for top Chinese leaders, not for Hong Kong people. I think she needs to consider more about the Hong Kong people, what they are thinking, what’s their dream. It’s very important.”
Carple Chung Ka-man, a 26-year-old secretary from Southern district, said she wanted Woo Kwok-hing or Tsang to win.
“We don’t have the right to choose. It’s totally disappointing,” she said, adding that she wasn’t sure if Lam would be a good chief executive.
“I think most Hong Kong people don’t support [Lam].”
Cally Yau Huen-chi, 20, a university student, was disappointed about the result.
“I feel devastated about Carrie Lam winning because [Hongkongers] can already expect things to become worse. I think there will be more political interference from Beijing.”
“ I don’t see any hope from her hardline approach of doing things. She leaves no room for discussion.”
Terrence Wong Ho-ka, 34, an IT worker who lives in Tseung Kwan O,said he hoped Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor would be different from Leung Chun-ying, but it felt like she would be “pretty much the same”.
“If I got the right to vote, I would vote for JohnTsang [Chun-wah]. It seems like he cares about Hong Kong people’s feelings more than Lam. Actually I don’t think the three of them can make a big change for Hong Kong.”
Calvin Lau Ka-fai, 34, civil engineer, is thinking about sending his three-year-old daughter to study in England when she grows up as he feels the city’s future is gloomy.
“I wanted John Tsang to win because Carrie Lam’s win means Hong Kong will not become a better place in the coming five years.”
“Her ability and experience is good, but people don’t like her.”
Eric Law Yiu-chun, 27, a sales manager from Tseung Kwan O, said he felt frustrated that he could not vote.
“It’s for sure that China has control, I have no doubt about it. Although Tsang said he was hoping for a miracle, but there’s no miracle. I would like Tsang, but we can’t. Every citizen of Hong Kong has no right to choose.”
Terry Chan Ka-kei, 35, a banking worker, finds the election meaningless.
“I follow election news but it will not make a difference who gets the top job, so I don’t favour any of them. I think the central government should just directly assign someone to govern Hong Kong instead of holding an election, because at the end the person just executes orders anyway. If the [chief executive] is assigned, then at least people can stop arguing who should become CE.”
Tyson Wu, 19, a university student, said he wanted Tsang to win.
“I think it’s worrying now that Carrie Lam won because her style of governance should be similar to that of Leung Chun-ying.”
“I have not thought of emigrating yet. I still hope Hong Kong will be more democratic one day, and I hope some people don’t give the city up to China.”
Peter Poon, 50, a watches and clocks businessman, said he would observe Lam’s performance.
“I liked judge Woo the most among the three. It’s not that I particularly hate Carrie Lam, I just didn’t want the central government to be able to directly appoint anyone they like. But to be honest, Lam seems to have ability from her performance in debates. I will wait and see whether she really carries out what she said in the campaign.”
