China's pick for next HK chief vows to protect hub status

Hong Kong

HONG Kong's leading candidate for the city's top job pledged to maintain the financial hub's international competitiveness and stressed his loyalty to China, as he formally kicked off his campaign after winning Beijing's sole backing for the race.

"Hong Kong must maintain its character of being an international metropolis," said former chief secretary John Lee at a press briefing on Saturday (Apr 9). "Hong Kong must expand its international connectivity, establish a more favourable business environment, uphold the value of inclusion, diversity and openness, and further strengthen its competitiveness."

The city's vitality lies in its role as a link between China and the rest of world, said Lee, vowing to strengthen that gateway function. The former second-highest ranked government official in Hong Kong said he joined the chief executive race out of loyalty to China, love for the city and a sense of responsibility to its people.

China's cabinet approved Lee's resignation from his government post on Thursday, clearing a path for the former police officer to outline his vision for the city ahead of the May 8 small-circle vote. The next chief executive will take office on Jul 1, the halfway mark in Beijing's 50-year pledge to preserve the city's liberal financial and political systems.

Hong Kong's tycoons threw their support behind Lee on Thursday, in their latest show of loyalty to China. Still, Beijing's backing of a staunch national security proponent has raised concerns that President Xi Jinping plans to prioritise tightening security in the former British colony over rebuilding the city's status as an international financial hub.

Candidates in the election have until Apr 16 to announce their plan to challenge Lee, and secure 188 votes from the some 1,500 mostly Beijing loyalists who pick the city's leader. BLOOMBERG