Incumbent Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has denied that the offer of a position on China’s top political advisory body is a consolation prize.
Leung has been nominated to become a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), whilst some reports claim he may be appointed as a vice-chairman in the annual “two meetings” in Beijing next month after being becoming a member.
Should he be appointed as a vice-chairman, Leung will follow the footsteps of former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee-hwa in becoming a state leader. Tung received the position after he resigned owing to “foot pain,” but Leung, who is not seeking re-election after his term ends in June, may take on the position during his tenure.
“The vice-chairman of the CPPCC has to be voted for by all CPPCC members – I would not comment at this stage,” Leung said ahead of the weekly Executive Council meeting on Tuesday.
He also did not say when he learnt that he will be nominated as a CPPCC member.
Asked if it was a consolation prize for not seeking re-election, he said: “The two things are not related in my view.”
“We will talk about this after the result is out.”
Leung resigned from his previous CPPCC position in June 2012 before he officially took office as Hong Kong’s leader. He will be the first incumbent Chief Executive to hold a CPPCC position.
When asked if his work as Chief Executive will conflict with his work as a CPPCC member, he said: “We work in accordance with the law.”
He said it will not affect his governance and will not affect the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
“‘One Country, Two Systems’ is not a vague, abstract concept. ‘One Country, Two Systems’ already has clear regulations in the 160 articles of the Basic Law,” he said.
