Pro-establishment lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee has said that she will announce her decision to run for Chief Executive “no later than Valentine’s Day” on February 14. She was speaking during an interview with former pro-democracy lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing.
Lau had asked Ip whether she would be ready to announce her candidacy after seeing who is elected to the Chief Executive Election Committee.
The Chief Executive Election Committee, tasked with electing the Chief Executive, consists of 1,200 members representing four sectors, under which 38 sub-sectors represent various trades, professions, social services groups and district organisations.
“I have said openly, I’m not saying anything new,” said Ip. “At the earliest, no earlier than the election of the election committee, and the latest, no later than Valentine’s Day.” The election of the committee will be held next month.
She dismissed recent press reports describing her as eager to take up the post, saying instead her enthusiasm just highlighted her ambitious nature and determination.
At the end of October, Ip said that she had interest in running for the top job, and said that “preparation work is being done.”
She said during the interview that she had nothing more to add.
The election for the Chief Executive is to be held on March 26 next year.
