CY Leung, reflecting on his Hong Kong leadership, says family ‘taking pressure well’

Chief executive tells Post his wife and children are accustomed to spotlight and ‘see the progress’ the city is making

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Leung, showing some of his plants, says gardening helps him release the stress of his job. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 12:30pm, 28 Jun 2016Updated: 11:15pm, 28 Jun 2016

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has opened up about how his family is dealing with all the negative headlines his position as leader of Hong Kong has brought, saying they are “taking the pressure well” and are fully supportive of his performance in office.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Post last week, Leung shared insights into his family and hobbies.

He called himself a “midnight gardener” who maintains a “plant kingdom” featuring fruits and vegetables from around the world, a characteristic he said mirrored Hong Kong where people from different parts of the world converge.

Leung said his family was used to the pressure that comes with him holding public office, which dates back to his time as secretary general of the Basic Law Consultative Committee in the mid-1980s.

“I’m not new to this game and my three children were born into these kinds of conditions,” he said. “Sometimes I do feel they’re put in an unnecessary spotlight and under unnecessary pressure, but I would say, by and large, they are taking the pressure and the limelight well.”