Hong Kong’s former Chief Administration Secretary John Lee arrives at his office after the Central People’s Government approved his resignation, in Hong Kong, China April 8, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

HONG KONG, April 9 (Reuters) – Former Hong Kong No. 2 John Lee, who has announced he will run for leadership in May, said on Saturday he plans a new chapter for the center global financial institution that has been ravaged by unprecedented upheaval with protests and COVID-19.

Lee, 64, resigned on Wednesday to run as the replacement for Chief Executive Carrie Lam, whose five-year term ends June 30. Lam oversaw one of the most tumultuous periods in Hong Kong’s history with pro-democracy protests and the coronavirus. Read more

“It will be a new symphony and I am the conductor of it,” Lee, who was the city’s security chief during anti-government protests in 2019, said at a news conference.

“Together we will perform a more splendid new play for Hong Kong.”

Realizing his political platform, Lee said loyalty to the central government was a priority for any chief executive and part of his platform included accelerated plans to solve the city’s chronic housing shortage.

Hong Kong media reported this week that officials in Beijing wanted Lee to be the only candidate and would not give the green light to others to oppose him.

Lee said he welcomes all other leadership candidates.

The city’s four biggest property tycoons, including Victor Li of CK Asset (1113.HK), son of billionaire Li Ka-shing, said in separate statements this week that Lee was a suitable candidate to lead Hong Kong to stability.

The show of support, from some of the city’s most powerful real estate moguls, came before Lee officially announced his candidacy for the leadership, signaling that the move had already been approved and received the tacit approval from some Hong Kong businessmen.

Reporting by Jessie Pang, Greg Torode, Clare Jim and Anne Marie Roantree; Editing by Michael Perry

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