The financial hub became more isolated globally due to a crackdown on pro-democracy protests and rigid Covid-19 restrictions after Carrie Lam decided not to run for a second term.
At 11 a.m., she announced her plan. She told Beijing last year that she wouldn't run for a second term.
Local media including the South China Morning Post and HK01) reported on Sunday that the city's No. 2 official, John Lee, is forming a team to prepare for an electoral run.
The election was originally scheduled for March 27. Hong Kong had the highest death rate from Viruses per capita in a developed country due to its under-vaccinated elderly.
She had been tipped as the race front-runner, with local media calling her a "comeback queen." But at a virus briefing last week she sparked rumors she wouldn't seek another five-year term.
She said that she would be happy to give her opinion to the next government.
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