The Hong Kong government's No. 2 official and former police officer John Lee has announced his bid to run in the city's leadership election next month.

He declared his candidacy for the May 8 vote at a news conference on Wednesday.

Lee headed the Security Bureau and suppressed anti-government protests. After China's national security law for Hong Kong went into effect in 2020, he led crackdowns on pro-democracy activists and the Apple Daily newspaper.

He assumed the post of chief secretary last year.

Hong Kong's chief executive is selected once every five years by about 1,500 members of an election committee who are mostly loyal to Beijing.

China's office in Hong Kong reportedly told some election committee members on Wednesday that Lee would be the only candidate supported by Beijing.

The incumbent Hong Kong leader, Carrie Lam, has already announced she will not seek reelection after her term expires at the end of June.

Even if Lee is the only candidate, a vote of confidence will be held.

If elected, he will be the first former police official to head Hong Kong since its reversion to China.