Financial Secretary John Tsang said he will continue to walk “the bumpy road” in a live appearance on social media.
Tsang appeared in a Facebook live session on tech news site unwire.hk after visiting its office, and spoke for around 23 minutes. He spent most of the informal chat speaking about the tech industry. He said it was his first Facebook live session.
Tipped to join the Chief Executive race, Tsang resigned on December 12 last year but this has yet to be approved by Beijing. When asked about the matter, he said: “I believe the central government will handle it with fairness and justice.”
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam resigned on Thursday, saying that the only reason for her resignation was to run for Chief Executive if it is approved.
Tsang said: “Hongkongers love fair competition. This is a good thing.”
Lam reportedly said on Thursday that God had told her to run. She was speaking at a closed door lunch with top officials after she submitted her resignation.
Tsang was asked if he had also sought support from God to run: “I haven’t asked. But there is a story in the Bible, that people chosen by God have to walk a rather bumpy road.”
“My bumpy road – I have walked on it for decades. I will continue to walk along,” he said.
Tsang also answered some relatively relaxed questions, such as being challenged to explain social media “spamming.” Tsang said he knew the answer, stating that it referred to large amounts of comments left online, including on blog posts and notes he published.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying was asked the same question last year during a TV forum and he said he knew the answer, but stopped short of explaining what it was.
Tsang was also asked if he ever met Steve Jobs: “I have seen him online, but I have never met him. He has passed away… I will be very scared if I see him.”
The Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Nicholas Yang, was previously ridiculed for claiming he had met the late Apple chief.
Tsang also said he does not mind being called “Uncle Crisps” for his similar appearance to the Pringles crisp mascot.
