China does not want anyone to compete against him

HONG KONG, Apr 06 (AFP): A hardline former Hong Kong security chief sanctioned by the US for his role in China's purge of dissent declared his bid Wednesday to become the city's next leader.

John Lee, who oversaw the police response to huge democracy protests three years ago and its subsequent crackdown, resigned from the government to run.

"If the Central People's Government approves my resignation, I shall inform you of my next move in detail," he told reporters without taking any questions.

Lee, 64, has been widely tipped by local media and government loyalists in recent days as Beijing's top choice-and there are growing signs he could be running in a one horse race.

Citing sources, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday that Beijing does not want anyone to compete against Lee.

Hong Kong's leader is not popularly elected, the source of years of democracy protests that have been comprehensively squashed in the last two years.

The new chief executive will be chosen by a committee of 1,500 Beijing loyalists on May 8, a process that is choreographed behind the scenes by Chinese officials through Beijing's Liaison Office.

Current leader Carrie Lam announced Monday she would not seek a second five-year term, firing the starting gun on the race to replace her.

Lee rose through the ranks of the police before heading up the Security Bureau until he was last year made the city's number two leader-often perceived as a springboard to the top job.

Only those who get the nod from Beijing have any hope of standing and then securing a majority of votes in the Election Committee, whose members are vetted for their political loyalty.