Henry Tang, the former Hong Kong finance secretary whose campaign for chief executive has been hit by scandal, has said Beijing would “have to” accept the city’s desire for universal suffrage in 2017.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Tang, who until recently was considered Beijing’s favourite for the post, said it was of “paramount importance” that Hong Kong be allowed to hold a “one-man, one vote” election in 2017. He stressed that it would be an important milestone for China.

Hong Kong citizens are opposed to the present system which allows 1,200 people – elites from the pro-Beijing camp and business community – to elect a chief executive for a territory of 7m. The election committee has only 30 members who were elected on the basis of universal suffrage.