Tycoon relishes chance for a debate with Lam

Charles Ho Tsu-kwok says he could stand in the chief executive election - not to win it, but for the chance to debate with current leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Standing Committee member said if Lam decided to stand for reelection, he would definitely join the race so he could start a debate with her.

"If Lam will really seek to be reelected, I will definitely join the race too. My intention is to seek an opportunity to have a debate with her," Ho said in a television interview.

"She once said she built more than she destroyed, but I think otherwise. I want to see what she has built."

Ho stopped short of saying what he thought Lam had destroyed, pointing out: "That's why we should debate."

Ho also threw his weight behind Beijing's resolution to perfect Hong Kong's electoral system, saying enhancing the Election Committee members' role in local elections will be in line with Hong Kong's executive-led political system.

"It will become clearer that Hong Kong's political system is executive-led if more Election Committee members, who are responsible to choose the chief executive, can enter the legislature," Ho said.

During the colonial days, Hong Kong was also executive-led and the economy flourished, he added. So he thought it would be "more suitable" to have 40 seats for Election Committee members in the Legislative Council, rather than 30.

"I do not think people should see those CPPCC members [in the Election Committee] as following the central or SAR government's orders when voting as everyone can exercise their own judgment," he added.

Ho said adding 300 members to the Election Committee will not dilute the political influence of Hong Kong's business sector, noting that many CPPCC members are from that sector.

Asked about Ho's remarks, Lam said last night that she has always welcomed the discussion of Hong Kong issues with different people and lawmakers.

Such discussion can take place anytime as long as participants "come with an open attitude and are objective and reasonable while speaking the truth."