Former HK finance chief enters race for top job, stressing unity
Print Edition
FORMER Hong Kong finance chief John Tsang yesterday announced his bid to run for leader, promising to resolve conflict after a tumultuous period in the city.
Nicknamed “Mr Pringles” for his resemblance to the crisp brand’s mascot, a smiling Tsang, 65, held up his phone to reveal a cartoon sticker of himself in the style of the moustachioed Pringles icon as he announced his candidacy.
Tsang is seen as more moderate than outgoing Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, but is still an establishment figure and slammed those seeking “independence” for Hong Kong as an extreme minority.
The city’s next leader will be chosen by a 1,200-member election committee on March 26. He will take on Leung’s tough former deputy, Carrie Lam, for the vote.
“I have big dreams,” said Tsang, one of Hong Kong’s most popular government officials, whose resignation from his job as finance chief was approved by the central government this week.
Tsang said he would strive to ease the growing polarization and conflict in Hong Kong, such as large street occupations and a violent riot.
“There is no simple solution to the discord we’ve witnessed in the past few years,” he added, while emphasizing the need for unity, trust and hope.
“What I fear most is that the confrontation and conflicts that we have seen in our society recently have eroded permanently our courage and confidence to seek solutions,” Tsang said, adding that he wanted to garner support from across the political spectrum.
“Looking back on history, darkness always gives way to light,” said Tsang, who served as finance secretary for nine years.
Describing the city as being at a “historic juncture” Tsang said he wanted to stem emigration as residents consider jumping ship because of political uncertainty, a widening wealth gap and sky-high housing costs.
Having emigrated from Hong Kong as a teenager to live in the US before returning in 1982, Tsang sought to bolster his patriotic credentials.
“You all may know that I have practiced martial arts since I was little — but you may not know that while in the US I once was involved in a fight because a person insulted Chinese people to my face,” Tsang said.
He also emphasized the importance of relations with the mainland, saying the city could benefit from “a motherland that is welcoming the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation,” a phrase often used by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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