Consecutive Bombshell Announcements

John Tsang shocked everyone by coming out and saying he may run for CE

Friday got really interesting politically when two people suggested they could possibly run for the position of Hong Kong's chief executive next year.

Outgoing Legislative Council president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing made the announcement live on RTHK on a live show from 8am to 9am, though RTHK news already reported Tsang's intentions as early at 6.24am in the morning.

Jasper Tsang signaled interest in taking over CY Leung's job

During the interview with The Pulse, Tsang said incumbent Leung Chun-ying was expected to run for another five-year term, and despite widespread speculation that Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah and Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor would run, they had not shown any indication of challenging their boss.

"If no one else really wants to run, and if it turns out that it is both necessary and possible for me to stand as a candidate to offer a genuine choice -- at least to the election committee -- then I will consider running," Tsang, 69, said.

However, he added he was getting too old to deal with his short comings, but if he was 10 years younger, he'd definitely consider running.

Everyone was surprised, but not surprised by Tsang's comments, as many speculated he would run for CE. Perhaps the timing threw people off.

Carrie Cheng is believed to be interested in running too

But even more curious was that an hour later at 10am, in a pre-recorded interview with Commercial Radio, John Tsang announced for the first time he is "willing to take up the job as chief executive if it can help [him] to contribute to society".

When asked to elaborate on why he was previously so hesitant on answering the question of whether he would run for CE or not, Tsang said: "I did not say that... if it contributes to Hong Kong, I am wiling to do [it] because there is absolutely no doubt that I love Hong Kong.

"But you all know that it is a bad job... and it is difficult to do because all chief executives are bound to be criticized and no one would be happy. I hope society can return to rationality, that would be encouraging for capable people," he said.

So now we have two Tsangs who have possibly entered the race. Some believe Lam may throw her hat into the ring too. Perhaps tomorrow?