'Pro-China' Former Hong Kong Chief Executive Hints at Running in Next Election

Leung Chun-ying, former Chief Executive of Hong Kong

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Leung Chun-ying, a prominent pro-China figure in Hong Kong and former Chief Executive of Hong Kong, has hinted at the possibility of running again in next year's Hong Kong Chief Executive election.

According to Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK on the 4th, in a video interview held in Beijing the day before the opening of the Chinese National People's Congress, Leung responded to a question about the possibility of returning as Chief Executive by saying, "I will do whatever it takes to serve Hong Kong and the country."

He mentioned the eligibility criteria for the Hong Kong Chief Executive candidacy, which requires being a Chinese citizen aged 40 or above who has lived in Hong Kong for more than 20 years, emphasizing, "I am one of the millions of Hong Kong residents who are eligible to run."

Leung, known for his pro-China stance, served as Hong Kong Chief Executive from July 2012 to June 2017. He is currently a standing committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

As he has recently raised his political voice ahead of the National People's Congress, RTHK reported that there are local expectations that Leung may succeed current Chief Executive Carrie Lam.

In a speech conducted over the past week on the pro-government site 'SpeakOutHK,' he stated, "The special autonomy enjoyed by Hong Kong is granted by Beijing (the central government of China)."

He also criticized, saying, "Many of those so-called democrats in Hong Kong, for example, by pushing democracy too hard in the appointment of the Chief Executive and ignoring the authority of Beijing, have in fact become separatists."