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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

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Ray Chui hopes to represent the catering sector in the Legislative Council. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Hong Kong is set to hold its Legislative Council election on December 19, the first citywide poll since Beijing revamped the electoral system to ensure only “patriots” hold political power. In the second of a four-part election series, Cannix Yau takes a deep dive into the races for the city’s functional constituencies, all of which will be contested for the first time in history.
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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.

Ray Chui, chairman of Institute of Dining Art, says his experience in the catering industry can help the sector ride out difficulties and create opportunities. Photo: Xiaomei Chen
Ray Chui, chairman of Institute of Dining Art, says his experience in the catering industry can help the sector ride out difficulties and create opportunities. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

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.

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“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.”

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