The young and the restless: first-time Legco candidates put Hong Kong’s ageing functional constituency lawmakers in crosshairs
- Among 67 candidates vying for 30 seats, at least 45 are novices, with 25 under 50 years old
- Beijing won’t mind if younger, talented hopefuls with fresh ideas knock out veterans, observers say
At a Causeway Bay cha chaan teng, a local cafe with retro decor reminiscent of Old Hong Kong, owner Ray Chui Man-wai is cooking up “election dishes” in his bid to represent the catering sector in the Legislative Council.
The 40-year-old’s rags to riches story, rising from teenage hawker to chairman of Kam Kee Holdings, where he runs a chain of 44 restaurants, is the stuff films are made of.
He is hoping to unseat heavyweight Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, 72, who has represented the sector for five terms since 2000 and is a member of the city leader’s de facto cabinet, the Executive Council.
Chui, who is chairman of the catering industry body the Institute of Dining Art, said: “I have been in the catering business for more than 10 years with many ups and downs, so I fully grasp the ins and outs of this industry.
“Compared with Tommy Cheung, who isn’t operating any catering business, I think I know better how to help the industry ride out difficulties and create opportunities.”
