Hong Kong's Civic Party and Democratic Party launched the first electoral challenge to a sitting government in any part of Communist-controlled China as they endorsed a candidate to take on Chief Executive Donald Tsang at the polls next March. Barrister and legislator Alan Leong will challenge Tsang, who was elected without opposition last year, in a vote decided by the territory's 800-member election committee, the <i>Financial Times</i> reported. To qualify as a candidate Leong must secure at least 100 nominations from members of the election committee. This will be no easy task as the committee, which itself will be elected by professional and social groups on December 10, has traditionally been dominated by Beijing loyalists. Tsang is expected to announce his candidacy to lead the former British colony early next year.
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