Hong Kong's respected former financial secretary John Tsang on Thursday confirmed his intention to run for the Asian financial hub's top job in March, at a time of growing political tension and anti-China sentiment.

"I have big dreams," said Tsang, one of Hong Kong's most popular government officials, whose resignation from his job as finance chief China approved this week.

Tsang said he would strive to ease the growing polarization and conflict in Hong Kong, such as large street occupations, a violent riot, and growing calls for independence and self determination that have frayed ties with China's Communist Party leaders.