It’s official: media tycoon Ricky Wong announces Legco election bid
Businessman confirms he will contest in Hong Kong Island constituency, with aim of denying CY Leung second term as chief executive
Maverick businessman Ricky Wong Wai-kay has formally declared he will run in the Legislative Council elections in September, with an election manifesto developed upon one idea – blocking Leung Chun-ying from re-election as chief executive.
Sitting in front of a black wall-sized banner on which a slogan written in white Chinese characters reads: “Replace the Chief Executive, Hong Kong Starts from Casting Vote,” Wong announced on Monday he would contest in Hong Kong Island as an independent.
His 100-page election platform covers policy areas ranging from art and culture to human rights and Hong Kong-mainland relations.
The chairman of Hong Kong Television Network said he had no plan to become the chief executive, describing himself as “a primary pupil” in the local politics. “It is too early to talk about entering university when I have not yet finished primary education,” said Wong, 55.
But he said if half of the 70 lawmakers returned in September shared his stance, the camp would be powerful enough to move a vote of no-confidence against Leung. “It may not get officially passed under the existing split voting system, but the views expressed by half legislators cannot be ignored by Beijing,” said Wong.
