20220407 Strong reasons for Beijing's choice

https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/17/240537/Strong-reasons-for-Beijing's-choice

Strong reasons for Beijing's choice

The situation surrounding the chief executive election has become clear even before nomination closes.

Following John Lee Ka-chiu's resignation yesterday as chief secretary and his declaration of candidacy before the media, it is now all but certain he will take over from Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor in July to become the SAR's fifth chief executive.

Beijing's pick of a former police officer instead of a civilian may be indicative 表明 of the central government's policy towards Hong Kong for the foreseeable可預見的 future.

Having said that, any analysis of the arrangement in the absence of official accounts can only be presumptive 推測.

It may be presumed that national security continues to be the top concern for the leadership in spite of repeated statements of the successful implementation of the national security law in restoring law and order in the SAR.

It may have to do with escalating geopolitical tensions地緣政治緊張局勢 in wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Tensions have also sharpened between the West and China.

Beijing may be of the view that, caught in the middle, the SAR would become a flash point 導火線and needs a strong figure as chief executive.