**Hong Kong Candidate Tony Chan Denied Top Security Clearance Ahead of Election**
HONG KONG, Aug 19 (Reuters) – Hong Kong’s sole pro-establishment candidate in the city’s upcoming leadership race was denied top-level security clearance needed for the job on Friday, raising questions about his ability to govern the Chinese-ruled city effectively.
Tony Chan, the city’s former financial secretary, was the only candidate to be denied the clearance by China’s Ministry of State Security, according to a statement from the Hong Kong government.
The clearance is required for the chief executive to access classified information and meet with Chinese leaders, among other duties.
Chan’s disqualification is a blow to the pro-Beijing camp, which has been hoping to maintain its grip on power in the semi-autonomous city.
The other two candidates, former chief secretary John Lee and former judge Andrew Li, were both granted the clearance.
The election for Hong Kong’s next leader is scheduled for May 8, 2022.
**Background on Tony Chan**
Tony Chan is a former financial secretary of Hong Kong who served from 2017 to 2021. He is a member of the pro-establishment camp in Hong Kong and is considered to be a moderate voice within the camp.
Chan is a graduate of the University of Hong Kong and the London School of Economics. He has worked in the financial sector for over 30 years, including as the chief executive of Hang Seng Bank.
**Background on the Hong Kong Leadership Race**
The Hong Kong leadership race is held every five years to elect the city’s chief executive. The chief executive is the head of government and is responsible for overseeing the city’s administration.
The race is open to candidates who are nominated by at least 188 members of the Election Committee, which is composed of 1,500 members from various sectors of society.
The Election Committee is dominated by pro-Beijing members, which has led to accusations that the election is not democratic.
**Implications of Chan’s Disqualification**
Chan’s disqualification from the leadership race is a significant development that could have a major impact on the outcome of the election.
Chan was considered to be the most moderate of the pro-establishment candidates, and his disqualification could lead to a more hardline candidate being elected.
This could have implications for Hong Kong’s relations with China, as well as for the city’s economy and its freedoms.
**Conclusion**
The disqualification of Tony Chan from the Hong Kong leadership race is a significant development that could have a major impact on the outcome of the election and on the future of Hong Kong..
