John Lee formally enters the race to become Hong Kong’s new chief executive

Former Hong Kong chief secretary John Lee poses for a photograph (Kin Cheung/AP

Hong Kong’s former number two official John Lee said he had formally registered his candidacy in the election for the top job after securing 786 nominations to enter the race.

Mr Lee, who resigned as chief secretary last week before declaring he would run for chief executive, is the only candidate formally entered so far for the May 8 vote.