Former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu submits his application for the upcoming Chief Executive election at the office of Electoral Affairs Commission in Central, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on April 13, 2022. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Hong Kong former chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu on Wednesday submitted his bid to stand for election as chief executive, after obtaining 786 nominations from the Election Committee — over half of the nearly 1,500 members tasked with electing the city's top leader.

After handing over the form to officials at the Electoral Affairs Commission at City Gallery in Central, Lee told reporters that the nomination is just the first step, and he will continue to meet with various sectors, including Election Committee members and professionals, for their opinions and suggestions as he drafts his political platform.

READ MORE: John Lee submits application for HK CE race

The hundreds of nominations he received from the committee members were a great encouragement, Lee said.

Lee said he hopes to draw on diverse views during the election campaign so that the political platform can be fully implemented if he is elected

Lee said he hopes to draw on diverse views during the election campaign so that the political platform can be fully implemented if he is elected.

On Wednesday afternoon, Lee held two online talks with about 100 representatives from the labor sector and land and housing sector for consultation on the political platform.

Lee said that some in the labor sector who represent the city's civil servants have expressed recognition of his policy vision and pledged to help the public better understand the government's work if he is elected.

The nomination period in the chief executive race started on April 3 and ends on Saturday. Candidates need to submit their applications in person before 5 pm today, as Friday and Saturday are holidays.

After the nomination period, Election Committee members will cast their ballots on polling day, May 8. Candidates will need the endorsement of more than half of the committee members to become the next chief executive.

Also on Wednesday, the Finance Association of Hong Kong said it will fully back Lee's bid for the top job, as it expects him to consolidate Hong Kong's status as an international financial hub and further integrate the city into national development.

ALSO READ: EC members back CE candidate Lee’s policy vision

Lee's ability to govern Hong Kong is ※undoubted§, given his rich experience serving society and excellent performance safeguarding national security, the statement read.

The association believes that Lee perfectly meets the central government's expectations for Hong Kong leaders — to be competent patriots who firmly uphold the ※one country, two systems§ principle and propel the city's development.