Hong Kong chief executive election 2022: No 2 official John Lee formally resigns, paving way for bid as Beijing’s preferred candidate
- In a statement, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she had received Chief Secretary John Lee’s resignation and sent it to the central government
- Meanwhile, a source said Beijing’s liaison office had informed Election Committee members on Wednesday morning that Lee would be the only candidate backed by the central government
No 2 official John Lee Ka-chiu formally resigned from the Hong Kong government on Wednesday to announce he would run in next month’s chief executive election, becoming the sole hopeful for the city’s top job with the blessing of the central authorities.
Political and business heavyweights, including core members of outgoing leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and predecessor Leung Chun-ying’s campaigns in previous elections, threw their support behind Lee as he stepped down from the chief secretary post soon after Beijing’s liaison office in the city met them to give a clear green light.
Lee gave a brief statement to the media at 5.30pm on his decision to run for chief executive, two hours after incumbent Lam said she had received her deputy’s resignation and submitted it to the central government for approval.
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Hong Kong’s No 2 official John Lee declares bid to become city’s next leader
“If my resignation is approved by the central people’s government, I shall plan to prepare to stand for the coming chief executive election,” Lee said, reading from the statement in both Chinese and English.
“I thank the people of Hong Kong. Having been in the government for over 40 years to serve the people of Hong Kong is a glory,” he said, also expressing his gratitude to Lam, his colleagues and lawmakers for their support.
Lee raised some eyebrows when he said: “I thank Chief Executive Carrie Lam for appointing me as the secretary for security in July 2017 and as chief secretary for administration in June 2021.”
Under the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, principal officials are nominated by the chief executive but actually appointed by the central government. In 2017, it took four days for the State Council to approve Lam’s resignation tendered on January 12 before she officially joined the race.