Starry Lee and Ronick Chan vie for LegCo president in contested race

Starry Lee Wai-king from the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and Ronick Chan Chun-ying from the financial sector are the sole nominees for LegCo president as nominations closed on January 2, 2026.

The new term began January 1 with lawmakers sworn in. A special forum is set for January 8 before the secret ballot election.

Lee, a National People's Congress Standing Committee member, was nominated by Liberal Party chairman Peter Shiu Ka-fai. Chan, from G19, received support from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong leader Jimmy Ng Wing-ka.

Pro-establishment sources see a tight contest. Lee has a solid DAB base of at least 20 votes and senior status, but Chan attracts cross-sector backing for his acclaimed Finance Committee leadership. Some prefer him to prevent DAB dominance.

The election allows open competition without campaigning or attacks, focusing on forum presentations of platforms.

Outgoing BPA vice-chairman Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung welcomed the new lawmakers' oaths and anticipated responsible governance support.

He viewed the race as healthy diversity, with decisions based on candidates' visions.

BPA has not discussed its stance yet, he added.