As Hong Kong’s leader steps down, who are some possible successors?

Carrie Lam is the current leader of Hong Kong, and yesterday, she announced she wouldn’t be running for a second five-year term. In fact, she said she told Beijing about her decision in March last year. There are several people set to possibly replace her, one of which is the city’s next top official, Chief Secretary John Lee, as well as Financial Secretary Paul Chan and former leader Leung Chun-ying. None have publicly said anything yet, though.

Lam’s term ends on June 30, and a group of 1,500 largely pro-Beijing electors will pick the next leader on May 8.

Key comments:

“This is a question of my personal wish and aspiration. My personal wish and aspiration is entirely based on my family considerations,” Lam told reporters. “This is what I have told the Central People’s Government. And they have expressed understanding.”

“There’s only one consideration and that is family. I have told everyone before that family is my first priority," Lam told a regular press briefing. “They think it’s time for me to go home."

Lam didn’t comment on possible candidates to replace her and said she had not decided on her future plans.

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