Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang says he's willing to take up job of Chief Exec, in challenge to Leung

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang has declared that he is willing to take up the job of Chief Executive. PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang has declared that he is willing to take up the job of Chief Executive, in a challenge to incumbent Leung Chun Ying.

In a pre-recorded interview with the city's Commercial Radio aired on Friday (July 29), Mr Tsang said he was "willing to take up the job as Chief Executive if it can help (him) contribute to society" - the first time he has publicly said so.

Mr Tsang, often referred to as Mr Pringles for his resemblance to the potato chips mascot, told the radio station when asked about a potential bid for the top job: "If it contributes to Hong Kong, I am willing to do (it) because there is absolutely no doubt that I love Hong Kong."

The broadcast of the surprise remarks also came just shortly after outgoing Legislative Council Jasper Tsang said in a Commercial Radio programme earlier that morning that he might run for Chief Executive if there was no other more qualified candidate to rival Mr Leung in the coming election.

The twin challenges to Mr Leung will complicate his path to a second term in the election that will be held in March 2017.

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