Former chief secretary for administration John Lee Ka-chiu (second right) chats with medical and nursing staff in the community isolation facility constructed with mainland support at Hung Shui Kiu on March 17, 2022. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
Hong Kong’s business leaders expressed their support for John Lee Ka-chiu, former chief secretary for administration, in his bid for the city’s top job, saying Lee is resolved, determined and capable of lifting the city out of its quagmire.
Lee on Wednesday announced his resignation and intention to stand in the election for chief executive, scheduled for May 8. Lee’s resignation was approved by the State Council on Friday.
Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, a member of the 1,500-strong Election Committee, which is tasked to elect the next chief executive, placed high hopes on the next chief executive, as the city faces a double whammy of social unrest and the pandemic.
Hong Kong needs a strong-minded leader who can withstand the pressure and maintain stability in the face of the ever-changing and complex situation globally and the foreign intervention in the city, Chairman of Sino Group Robert Ng Chee-siong stressed
The city’s new leader needs to have the special administrative region government and Hong Kong society fully and faithfully implement “one country, two systems”. The new chief executive also must revive the economy and improve people’s livelihoods, as well as integrate the city into the nation’s development, he said.
The new chief executive needs to take responsibility and rise up to challenges while uniting society to serve the best interest of Hong Kong people, Cheng said.
Lee, who has those traits, is the right man for the top job to lead the city to solve the deep-seated problems, maintain its prosperity and stability and promote the sustainable implementation of “one country, two systems”, he said.
Robert Ng Chee-siong, chairman of Sino Group and another Election Committee member, also threw his weight behind Lee.
Describing Lee as an ideal candidate for the top job in the eyes of the business sector, Ng said those in the sector know the most how important a stable society is for doing business.
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Hong Kong needs a strong-minded leader who can withstand the pressure and maintain stability in the face of the ever-changing and complex situation globally and the foreign intervention in the city, the business leader stressed.
A stable society and safe economy is a prerequisite of Hong Kong’s status as the international financial and trade hub, Ng said.
In handling the social unrest in 2019 and 2020 and the implementing of the National Security Law for Hong Kong, Lee has proved to be a man who can handle pressure and who has the willpower and ability to safeguard national security and social order, Ng added.
Taking note of Lee’s rich experience in affairs relating to public order, Ng said Lee has not only extensive experience in the Hong Kong Police Force and running the government, but also a high degree of accountability to the city and the nation, with his resolve and ability to implement the National Security Law, providing strong safeguards for economic development.
Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, chairman and group co-managing director of CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd, echoed Ng’s sentiments, agreeing that the priority for Hong Kong’s next chief executive is the city’s stability and prosperity, as a city can only prosper when it is stable.
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Naming Lee a fit for the job, Li, also an EC member, said Lee is a good fit for the job, and Li said he will nominate Lee for the position.
The nomination for the election began on April 3 and ends on April 16. Each candidate will need to have nominations from no less than 188 Election Committee members in order to be qualified to run. These members will need to come from all five sectors, and candidates need at least 15 nominating members from each sector.