Hong Kong finance chief dismisses talk that he will express intent to run for top job during Beijing trip

Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah dismissed speculation that he would express his intent to run for Hong Kong’s top job as he headed to Beijing to meet with key officials.

Speaking at the airport before his departure on Sunday morning, Tsang emphasised that his four-day visit to the capital was a regular working trip and refused to comment on reports suggesting he had already started setting up an election office for the chief executive race next March.

During his stay, Tsang is expected to meet relevant officials in charge of financial and monetary policy to discuss issues of mutual concern.

But the finance chief’s scheduled meeting with the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council – which is in charge of the city’s political affairs – has sparked speculation that Tsang might express his intent to run for the chief executive post next year when meeting the office’s director Wang Guangya.

“It is just a regular visit where I report on my work in the past year and see what cooperation [between the two governments] can be achieved in future,” Tsang said, referring to his meeting with Wang.