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Owen Fung

Hong Kong’s leader Leung Chun-ying has dismissed the reliability of a survey on the popularity ratings of potential chief executive candidates, stating that none of those included have announced their intentions to run yet.
Speaking to the press ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting, the chief executive also noted that the poll did not include any candidates from the pan-democratic camp.
The survey in question was conducted by the University of Hong Kong’s Public Opinions Programme on behalf of Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao, which showed Leung placing last in terms of popularity ratings among five highly tipped candidates.
Only 18 per cent of 1,014 people polled supported Leung, while 62 per cent disapproved of him being re-elected.
John Tsang ‘can unite the city’, says ex-finance chief Antony Leung
By contrast, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, who said he would consider running if it helps Hong Kong, topped the list in terms of his popularity.
Close to 60 per cent approved of him becoming the next chief executive with only around 15 per cent opposing.
The other potential candidates in the survey are: former Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and New People’s Party chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.
“No one has indicated they want to run in the 2017 chief executive election yet,” Leung said. He added: “The five potential candidates in the survey haven’t publicly announced any of their principles of governing Hong Kong or their policies.

“Surveys that are conducted after we know who is running, along with their principles, policies and manifesto, would be a better point of reference.”
Ahead of the first meeting of the new Legco term on Wednesday, the chief executive said he highly values the relationship the executive branch has with the legislature.
Double trouble for CY Leung? John Tsang announces possible bid for Hong Kong’s top job soon after Jasper Tsang does the same
Last week, student activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung was detained and later deported by Thai authorities when he visited the country to deliver a speech on democracy to local students at Chulalongkorn University.
Following the incident, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was quoted by the media saying that “officials [in China] have requested to take [Wong] back. It’s Chinese officials’ business.”
Despite the remarks, Leung maintained the Chinese government was not involved.
“The Thai government has already stated clearly that it was their own decision,” he said.


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Leung Chun-ying (CY Leung)

Still too early to talk about popularity of potential Hong Kong chief executives, CY Leung says

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is unperturbed about his popularity ratings. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong Chief executive Leung Chun-ying, receives petition letters before Exco meeting in Tamar. 11OCT16 SCMP/ May Tse

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Hong Kong

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He came in last in a University of Hong Kong survey covering five people tipped for the top job in 2017; Financial Secretary John Tsang ranked first


Chief executive election 2017