Hong Kong's Financial Secretary also known as «Uncle Pringles» has resigned his post, the city's government said. Most probably he will run for the city's top job next March.
The resignation ends months of speculation over whether 65-year-old John Tsang, who is currently topping popularity polls, would step down to run for the financial hub's chief executive. It comes after unpopular incumbent Chief Executive CY Leung announced last Friday he would not stand for a second five-year term.
The city government said Leung had already submitted Tsang's resignation to China's central government and the secretary for financial services and the treasury, Chan Ka-keung, would be acting financial secretary.
Martial Arts Enthusiast
According to news agency «Reuters» Tsang, known as «Uncle Pringles» for his signature moustache similar to that of the character on the potato chip brand's packaging, is a U.S.-educated fencing and martial arts enthusiast, who has been the former British colony's finance minister since July 2007.
Candidates running for the job of chief executive have to be vetted by a 1,200-strong election committee which was selected on Sunday. The same committee will in late March decide who will lead the city of 7.2 million people.
