The nomination period for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Election has concluded. Former Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, former Financial Secretary John Tsang and retired Judge Woo Kwok-hing are the three valid candidates who will stand in the March 26 election.

Lam's campaign slogan is "Weconnect”. She promises to connect different communities, resolve the city's housing problems, and reform Hong Kong's tax system and government structure if elected. In her plan, a new Youth Development Commission will be set up to invite young people to participate in public affairs.

John Tsang says Hong Kong needs trust and unity. He advocates improving the government's accountability and conducting tax reviews to lighten the burden on small and medium enterprises.

Woo proposes to take full advantage of the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road initiative to boost HK's economy.

Over the past three weeks’ nomination period, from February 14-March 1, Lam has handed in 580 nominations, Tsang 165 and Woo 180. The final confirmation of the nomination numbers is to be announced by the Election Returning Office.

According to Hong Kong's election laws, each chief executive hopeful has to get no less than 150 nominations from the 1200-seat Election Committee before he/she can become a valid candidate. 

The 2017 Hong Kong Chief Executive Election day is March 26, when the Election Committee will vote among the three. The one who gets over 600 votes will become the next chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after been formerly appointed by the Central People’s Government.