Carrie Lam is running for chief executive of Hong Kong. (Photo : Getty Images)
The candidate who is running for the top Hong Kong position is Carrie Lam, the former second-in-command to Leung Chun-yin, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Elections will be held on March 26 and will be eyeing the favor of over 1,200 business and political elites.
Lam wants to bring unity among the people of Hong Kong. She said that she intends to develop the health and education sectors, cut red tape and lower taxes.
She said, "I have to be very careful in sort of taking on an issue which has a very strong potential of splitting the society again."
"Once we have some of that sort of mutual trust, I'm sure in the usual Hong Kong spirit we can tackle some of those more difficult issues," she added.
She was also clear in pointing out the issues on Hong Kong's development. She said, "The time has come for us to take more innovative approach."
Lam said, "We should spend more and invest, with a view that we would grow the economy and make everyone happier."
The candidate wants to lessen street protests and hopes to close the rift between Hong Kong and Beijing. Her opponent, former Financial Secretary John Tsang, wants to pursue autonomy from the mainland.
She stirred public attention when she said that she wants to consider consultation on the legalization of gay marriages in the region.
This sparked a lot of questions from the opposition from conservative anti-gay rights groups. Lam's spokesperson clarified that Lam had no intention of pushing the legalization of same-sex marriages.
Others saw it as flip-flopping, or a change of stand when it is convenient.
Brian Leung Siu-Fai, chief campaigner of gay rights group Big Love Alliance, said, "How can she expect people to trust her? She lacks integrity. This issue should not be avoided."
