Ex-officials cleared to contest HK election
Print Edition
THE Chinese central government has accepted the resignations of two of Hong Kong’s top officials — financial secretary John Tsang and chief secretary Carrie Lam — paving the way for them to contest a March election to become the financial hub’s chief executive.
Tsang, once considered a frontrunner for the position, has been the subject of much speculation since he resigned more than a month ago. The 65-year-old has yet to make a formal announcement of his intentions.
Lam, 59, emerged as a leading contender last Thursday, when she announced her resignation and said she would contest the March 26 election.
Hong Kong’s incumbent leader Leung Chun-ying surprised many in December when he said he would not seek a second term of office.
The State Council, China’s Cabinet, also said it had approved Hong Kong’s development secretary Paul Chan to replace Tsang and labor and welfare secretary Matthew Cheung as a replacement for Lam.
Their names had been put forward by Leung.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal yesterday rejected two disqualified legislators-elect’s applications for leave to appeal over their disqualification.
The pair, Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching, intended to take their cases to the Court of Final Appeal to seek reinstatement.
The appeal court judge said Hong Kong courts had the responsibility to comply with the interpretation of the Basic Law issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature.
Leung and Yau used derogatory language that insulted the nation when taking their oaths at a swearing-in ceremony of the new Legislative Council in October.
Leung and the Hong Kong government filed a judicial review against a decision to give the pair a second chance to be sworn in.
The incident also prompted the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress to issue an interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong SAR on November 7, clarifying the implications and requirements of oath-taking by Hong Kong legislators-elect.
The pair were disqualified on November 15 and an appeal rejected on November 30.
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