Hong Kong

HONG KONG'S next leader Carrie Lam will inherit a deeply divided city saddled with sociopolitical problems and an uncertain future, but has the advantage of having been a front-row witness to her predecessor Leung Chun-ying's embattled reign, say political observers.

Mrs Lam, the former No 2 official from 2012 to this January when she resigned to contest the chief executive election, will be careful to avoid Mr Leung's mistakes, such as his aggressive stance against opposition and failure to unite the various pro-establishment camps that helped brew political divisiveness and obstructed government efficiency.