No alternative to reform proposal, says Antony Leung

Antony Leung Kam-chung, widely tipped as a chief executive hopeful in 2017, says the government's reform proposal is "the only one feasible".

But Leung, who was financial secretary for two years, evaded questions of whether he would run and whether he thought he would be able to pass the restrictive hurdles in the nominating body.

"It may not be the best proposal," he said last night after a finance forum at the University of Hong Kong. "But it is the only one feasible, taking into account the reality of Hong Kong's constitutional development." He said it fulfilled the principle of "balanced participation" and was endorsed by Beijing. He urged pan-democratic lawmakers to vote in support.

Leung, a veteran banker, quit the government in 2003 after accusations that he bought a Lexus before imposing a new car tax. He is now CEO of property firm Nan Fung Development.

Frederick Ma Si-hang, the former commerce minister who some see as Leung's aide in the future race, said the proposal was "conservative" but should be "pocketed" to avoid a governance crisis. During the forum, Ma, as moderator, asked Leung what he would do if he was chief executive to address overseas financiers' concerns about moving here.

Leung said setting up more international schools would help to attract executives. He also touched on HKU's controversial idea of making students take part in exchange schemes on the mainland.