HK Media: Beijing Collecting Opinions on Next Hong Kong Chief Executive and Government Appointments

(Central News Agency reporter Chang Ch'ien, Hong Kong, 14th) Hong Kong's Ming Pao reported today that recently, individuals from Beijing have been meeting with Hong Kong's political and business figures to hear their opinions on senior government officials, likely in preparation for collecting views on candidates for the next Chief Executive (CE) and the composition of the government.

The current term of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has entered its final year. Chief Executive John Lee has not yet publicly stated whether he will seek re-election. The report, citing sources, reveals that recently, Beijing's 'opinion gatherers' have been holding individual meetings with local political and business figures to understand their views on the 'people and affairs' of the government.

According to the report, these 'opinion gatherers' have asked meeting participants to speak freely and express their views without reservation on the performance, policies, and working styles of senior Hong Kong government officials, likely to collect input for selecting candidates for the next Chief Executive and government team.

The report quotes insiders as saying that, based on past experience, Beijing generally begins widely soliciting opinions from various sectors on the next Chief Executive candidate about one year before the government's term ends. If serious disagreements arise during the process, Beijing will set preconditions, seek further opinions, and then make a final decision at the top leadership level.

Earlier, when questioned by reporters about re-election, John Lee declined to respond on whether he would seek another term.

The Basic Law stipulates that the Chief Executive serves a five-year term and can be re-elected once. Since the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, there have been four Chief Executives: Tung Chee-hwa, Donald Tsang, Leung Chun-ying, and Carrie Lam. None of them served a full 10 years, as each failed to secure re-election due to problems arising during their tenure.

Currently, Hong Kong society is speculating whether John Lee will run for re-election. One view is that if he completes a full 10 years, it would carry special political significance given the experiences of past Chief Executives. Another view is that so far, no serious issues have emerged that would prevent John Lee from seeking re-election.

There is also a view that currently, there is no strong alternative candidate capable of replacing John Lee. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 1150714

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