Hong Kong chief executive election 2022: John Lee formally launches bid, pitches himself as ‘conductor of a new symphony’
- Lee pledges his leadership will be ‘result oriented’ and that he will ensure city retains status as global financial hub
- He also vows to boost Hong Kong’s competitiveness and reinforce city’s foundation, such as rule of law and stability
Three days after resigning as chief secretary and emerging as the only contender with Beijing’s blessing for the May 8 election, Lee officially launched his leadership campaign at an online press conference with the slogan, “Starting a new chapter for Hong Kong together”.
The 64-year-old career police officer-turned-top bureaucrat, whose law-enforcement background primes him for a job with a heavy focus on protecting national security, struck a softer note in envisioning himself as the head of an orchestra in his next role.
“This is a new symphony, I am the new conductor. We will create the synergy in which one plus one is more than two,” he said.
Asked by the Post whether he was confident of preserving Hong Kong’s status as an international financial hub, Lee shrugged off concerns over his lack of business experience, saying he would make up for it by tapping passionate and experienced talent.
“No person is a know-all for everything,” he said. “There may be one person who can do this. The person can only be … God.”
