Why Beijing would prefer a clear favourite in Hong Kong’s chief executive election
Tik Chi-Yuen says in their quest to control the leadership race, the central authorities hope to see unevenly matched pro-establishment candidates nominated, so that a winner emerges with a credible margin of victory
Nonetheless, Beijing does its best to control events, not least because it’s the chief executive election. The person elected must be acceptable to central leaders, so Beijing’s policies can be realised.
John Tsang remains coy about entering CE race, despite Beijing’s nod to him and Carrie Lam
The election is really a matter for the pro-establishment parties. Pan-democrats may be able to make a political gesture to damage the legitimacy of the election, and seek to embarrass the central government, but there is little space for them to be a kingmaker.
Recently, one member of the pro-establishment camp called for genuine competition within the camp in the election. But such a contest would only make the political situation in Hong Kong more unstable. We do not need a situation where no candidate gains half the total vote, as this would be a very bad start for the new government and cause difficulties in policymaking and implementation. Hence, the central government has been exerting itself to ensure the election goes according to its wishes.
For Beijing, the ideal result is one where its anointed one gains a high percentage of the votes, certainly no fewer than the 689 votes received by Leung in the last election.
Four candidates for Hong Kong chief executive race ‘too many’, Elsie Leung says
