Chief Executive CY Leung says he is not the kind of person who would turn his back on challenges, and that he had made hard choices in Hong Kong's interests.
Speaking on his popularity during a TV interview, Mr Leung said he will need to communicate more with Hong Kong people on the need to make hard choices, for example on producing development land for housing.
Mr Leung said he would have run for the Chief Executive's post even if he knew it would not be smooth sailing, as he believed Hong Kong needs help.
"Hong Kong needed help, Hong Kong needs help, and Hong Kong will continue to need help. I am not the kind of person who would shrug off challenges, I am not the kind of person who would sit on my hands and say, Hey, let’s paper over the cracks and let the next guy deal with it," he said.
He declined to answer whether he would stand again in 2017, saying that no candidate would declare his candidacy three years in advance of any election.
Looking forward, Mr Leung said he has a responsibility to deliver universal suffrage in Hong Kong in 2017 according to the Basic Law, is working towards that goal, and hopes it will happen.
