The race for Chief Executive heats up in Hong Kong, as top candidates battle for the region’s top spot. The three candidates crossed swords in a two-hour debate, directing questions at each other for the first time since the start of the campaign.

CGTN’s Audrey Siek reports.

Follow Audrey Siek on Twitter @audreysiek

It started off with waves, smiles and friendly handshakes. But that didn’t last long: the gloves flew off and the claws came out, as the three candidates verbally sparred for two hours.

With election day less than two weeks away, the people of Hong Kong are watching closely to see who will take the special administrative region’s highest office.

The audience questioned the candidates on many topics: ranging from economic development, to election reform and the controversial ‘Occupy Central’ movement.

Former Financial Secretary John Tsang took center stage, who polls suggest is the favorite among Hong Kong residents.

“We all have the theme of unity. Why? Since one of the most serious issues we are currently facing is a broken society. The government’s movement is struggling. In order to solve such a problem, we have to break out this opposition,” Tsang said.

Along with Tsang, the two other candidates Former Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and former Judge Woo Kwok Hing kicked off the event by introducing their policy platforms. Carrie Lam said she will put the people of Hong Kong first.

“We connect. This is my campaign slogan, and also a promise, not a promotion. We care about our residents, listening to them with an open mind and acting with determination,” Lam said.

Polls show retired judge Woo Kwok Hing trailing the other two candidates. Lam and Tsang dominated the debate, as they kept interrupting each other.

This debate has been described as a key battle in the race for Hong Kong’s top post, but it may just be a warm-up of what’s to come.