Finance Secretary John Tsang has said that the timing of his announcement to run in the Chief Executive elections – should he choose to enter the race – is “the will of the heavens.” He was responding to questions asked by students at an event at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Friday morning.

“If I can contribute to Hong Kong, I will definitely consider anything,” he said, “It’s the same now, so I can’t answer too much.”

now screenshot John Tsang
John Tsang. Photo: Now TV screencap.

He also responded to questions about lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee’s comments on Thursday night. Ip, of the New People’s Party, said that Tsang was “a bit of a slacker.” Tsang said that Ip should know that the job of a secretary in government was important and that “if you can really slack-off for 10 years, then you have some genius,” he said.

Ip had expressed that she was interested in running for Chief Executive on Thursday and, in addition to John Tsang, also said that other potential candidates were “unpopular” and “inexperienced.”

regina-ip
Regina Ip addressing the media at an event. Photo: SocRec Screenshot.

See also: ‘Slacker, unpopular, inexperienced’: Lawmaker Regina Ip hits out at other potential CE contenders

Tsang said that Ip was once his boss and had given him good evaluations in the past. He also said that Ip’s advice over the years has allowed him to see his blind spots and that he was thankful.

Chantal Yuen is a Hong Kong journalist interested in issues dealing with religion and immigration. She majored in German and minored in Middle Eastern studies at Princeton University.