HK’s new leader is already decided: Lau Siu-kai

A leading member of Beijing’s top think tank on Hong Kong has described Carrie Lam’s decision not to run for a second term as Chief Executive as a “wise” move.

Lau Siu-kai, a vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, told RTHK the Covid-19 pandemic and the social unrest in 2019 had eroded her popularity, making it difficult for her to govern the city for another term.

“If she seeks another term, she might have difficulty obtaining the trust or the support from the central government or even the members of the Election Committee,” Lau said.

“Even if she was re-elected, her low popularity and low capacity to govern will make it quite difficult for her to meet the challenge that Hong Kong will face in the years ahead.”

At a press conference on Monday, Lam said she would complete her current term on June 30 and retire, wrapping up more than 40 years of public service. She said the sole reason she is stepping down is because her family think “it’s time for me to go home.”

Lam said she had informed Beijing of her decision in March last year and the leaders “understood and respected” her wish.

Lau said Hong Kong will need a strong leader in the next five years, and he believes the central government has already decided who that should be.

“Beijing has already prepared for the new person to run Hong Kong within a very short period of time,” he said, adding that “Beijing might even have made some arrangements for the new team to come into place afterwards.

“So before Mrs Lam can announce her decision to step down, she needs to have Beijing’s support in the first place and to allow Beijing enough time to make the preparations for her departure.”