Former WHO Director-General Margaret Chan Prepares to Run for Hong Kong Chief Executive

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] With the Hong Kong Chief Executive election just two months away, it has been reported that former World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Margaret Chan is preparing to run.

According to local media East Week on the 14th, former Director-General Chan is forming a shadow cabinet ahead of the Chief Executive election.

East Week cited sources saying, "Some intermediaries have recently started recruiting talent," adding, "They are requesting resumes to be submitted to the 'Margaret Chan Cabinet.'"

The think tank Unity Hong Kong Foundation, established by Tung Chee-hwa, the first Hong Kong Chief Executive and Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is reportedly backing former Director-General Chan.

A source said, "Currently, Chan's political camp is proactively searching for candidates to recommend for the cabinet," adding, "They are looking for individuals who can gain approval from the Chinese government."

Chan, a member of the Hong Kong Election Committee, did not respond to questions about her intention to run for Chief Executive when she voted in the Hong Kong Legislative Council election on the 19th of last month.

Instead, she said, "Thanks to the election system restructured by China, Hong Kong has been able to achieve steady development of its democratic system and the full implementation of 'One Country, Two Systems.'"

Chan, who earned her medical doctorate from the University of Western Ontario in Canada, is a health administration expert who served as Hong Kong's Secretary for Health before being elected WHO Director-General in 2006. As the first Chinese head of a major UN agency, she was re-elected in 2012 and led WHO until 2017.

Current Chief Executive Carrie Lam, who is expected to seek re-election, remains tight-lipped about her future plans.

Other potential candidates for the next Chief Executive include Financial Secretary Paul Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee, former Hong Kong Stock Exchange CEO Charles Li, and former Hong Kong Monetary Authority Chief Norman Chan.

The Hong Kong Chief Executive election will be held on March 27. Candidate registration is expected to begin on February 15.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.