Honk Kong - New HK chief faces many challenges

Former government adviser Leung Chun Ying will become Hong Kong's next Chief Executive, after he defeated his nearest rival Henry Tang in a highly controversial election that threatened to drag the Chinese territory into a leadership crisis.

In an election ridden with scandals and suspicions of Beijing's perceived interference, Leung snagged the top post with 689 votes from 1,132 Election Committee members who voted yesterday morning at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Tang, 59, garnered 285 votes while Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho, 60, received 76 votes. Candidates need at least 601 votes to win or a second round of voting would be held on the same day. A second election would be called on May 6 in the event of a stalemate.

In his victory speech, Leung, 57, promised to safeguard the existing freedom and rights enjoyed by Hong Kongers and also pledged to tackle the housing shortage and rising health-care costs.

Dismissing claims that Beijing had tasked him with four "missions", including legislating a controversial national security law, Leung added: "I will safeguard Hong Kong's self-autonomy under the 'one country, two systems' rule."

MeanwhileMr Tang, the front runner who lost ground when scandals about his extramarital affairs erupted, promised to continue serving society in return for the unwavering support he received.

Observers say Leung, a former land surveyor, will have his hands full even before he takes over from incumbent Donald Tsang and begins a five-year term as the city's third Chief Executive on July 1.

Leung not only has to win over Hong Kongers peeved at not being able to pick their own leader, but also has to heal the rift in the pro-establishment camp, bitterly split between those who back him and those who support Tang.

He also has to take steps to fulfil people's desire to vote, evidenced by strong response to a mock poll conducted over the weekend to let Hong Kongers pick the Chief Executive.

Of the 222,990 people who 'voted', more than 54 per cent cast blank votes in a symbolic protest against the 'small circle' election system. Leung, Tang and Ho received only about 18 per cent, 16 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.

Professor Ivan Choy of the Chinese University of Hong Kong said the poll results should worry Beijing, which has promised to allow universal suffrage for the Chief Executive election by 2017, though critics question its sincerity.

"It showed that many people want to vote," Prof Choy added.

Kor Kian Beng

The Straits Times

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