Freedom tops new HK leader's priorities

Priorities ... Leung Chun-ying. Photo: Reuters

BEIJING: Hong Kong's newly elected leader, Leung Chun-ying, has promised to defend its people's ''freedom'' after winning the special administrative region's chief executive election and ending a campaign marred by political scandals and street protests.

Mr Leung, widely seen as Beijing's preferred choice, offered two deep bows on stage as the result was announced.

''I promise that all the freedom enjoyed by Hong Kong people won't change,'' Mr Leung said yesterday. ''We need to defend our core values and to work aggressively to solve many problems.''

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Campaigning has been marred by demonstrations by protesters angry at not being able to vote and the level of control exerted by Beijing.

Hong Kong's 7 million people have no direct say in their election. Only those on Hong Kong's 1193-strong election committee, largely made up of tycoons and business elite, are allowed to vote. Candidates must also be approved by Beijing before being allowed on the ballot.

But Beijing is understood to prefer to back a candidate who has a strong level of public support. Initially considered the underdog, Mr Leung, who received 689 of the 1132 valid votes cast, benefited from a string of salacious scandals to engulf early frontrunner and long-time politician Henry Tang.

Mr Tang finished with 285 votes. A third candidate, the pro-democracy Albert Ho, received 76 votes.

Revelations of Mr Tang's marital infidelity, and that he had illegally built a sprawling basement under his family villa without lodging the required taxes, dominated headlines in the robust Hong Kong media and saw China's support shift towards Mr Leung.

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Freedom tops new HK leader's priorities