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Lack of contest for HK’s top job saps interest in election

Chartered surveyor Maxine Yao is taking the lack of choice more positively.
“The political events that the city has faced over the past several years have severely polarised Hong Kong society,” said Ms Yao, 45, who is also a community organiser at the ~pro-Beijing~ think tank Path of Democracy.
“The sole candidate this time presents us with an opportunity to unite as one people rather than to have another societal split over a few rival candidates… If Hong Kong cannot be united internally, how then can we be prepared to face our external challenges – this was surely among Beijing’s considerations when it decided to have only one man run for the chief executive role this time.”
With the distraction of competition now removed, Mr Lee “can focus his energies fully on conducting careful research and balancing various perspectives across society towards improving his policy plans for the people”, she said.
The relative lack of international media coverage on Mr Lee may reflect “shallow Western opinions” that Mr Lee has little to offer of value just because the election is a one-horse race this time.
“They (some international media) simply cannot see from another viewpoint of how this situation can in fact advantage and positively benefit Hong Kong.”