The two declared candidates for the city's Chief Executive post, Leung Chun-ying and Henry Tang, have vowed to recruit "the best" people to govern the city if elected.

Much attention has been focused on the campaign teams of the two rivals after both declared their candidacies over the weekend.

With Tang having garnered support from financial and real estate sectors, Leung clarified during a radio phone-in program on Monday that his campaign team also includes finance professionals.

Leung cited David Lui Yin-tat, vice-chairman of Schroders Investment Management (Hong Kong) Ltd, and Leonard Cheng Kwok-hon, chair professor of the School of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Leung denied the make-up of his campaign team would prove a drawback.

Leung said some of his top policy advisers backing his candidacy did not attend the Sunday rally, at which he declared himself officially in the running.

"I need someone who can show up for a three-hour meeting on a Saturday morning, look into the documents and bring something to the table, instead of someone who showcases himself during the campaign and then disappears the next minute," Leung said.

Leung's words came as concerns regarding whether his team will be strong enough to pilot Hong Kong through a potentially gloomy year in 2012, and come out with the city's economy unscathed.

Leung, former convener of the Executive Council, has less experience working with civil servants than Tang, which some observers say may be another drawback.

Tang's resume includes his appointments as the city's financial secretary and chief secretary for administration.

Tang said on Monday afternoon that during his nine years of serving the public, his abilities to "assemble social power, as well as to guide civil servants - putting concerted efforts and being dedicated - are shown in the policies and projects that have been successfully implemented".

"Only a competent person can convene a powerful team, and only a powerful team could conquer future challenge," Tang said.

andrea@chinadailyhk.com