Democratic Party head to run for HK chief executive

The head of Hong Kong's top pro-democracy party yesterday said he plans to run for the territory's chief executive post -- a largely symbolic move likely to be shot down by China's allies.

Lee Wing-tat (李永達), chairman of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, said he will put his name on the ballot for the July 10 race if the party's membership approves his candidacy at a meeting this Sunday.

But Lee's campaign is mainly a symbolic move because he is unlikely to get backing from Beijing loyalists who dominate Hong Kong's 800-member leader selection committee.

It's unclear if Lee will even get nominated, which requires the support of at least 100 committee members.

The post of Hong Kong's chief executive was vacated when Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) quit last month. His deputy, Donald Tsang (曾蔭權), has been filling in and is expected to run for the top job and win. It is widely believed that China wants him as a permanent replacement for Tung.

Lee said if his candidacy falls through, his party will back only pro-democracy candidates.