Changing of the guard as 21 new members elected to Hong Kong delegation to China’s legislature with top neuroscientist Nancy Ip securing most votes
- Incumbent Nancy Ip tops poll, while DAB chairwoman Starry Lee secures spot and appears poised for prominent role as city’s sole delegate to the NPC Standing Committee
- Election result shows political elites prefer candidates whose professional backgrounds align with areas deemed crucial for city’s development, analysts say
Analysts said the election result showed the 1,273 political elites empowered with selecting delegates preferred candidates who worked in the same areas that Beijing had highlighted as crucial to Hong Kong’s development, such as science, culture, finance and law.
Twenty-seven newcomers and 15 incumbents vied for the 36 spots to represent the city in the nation’s legislature. Every incumbent won, including Hong Kong University of Science and Technology president Ip and singer-turned-businesswoman Cally Kwong Mei-wan.
Ip received 1,254 votes, or nearly 99 per cent of the total, a better showing than the 83 per cent that got her elected in 2017, when she ranked 29th among 36 winners.
The Alzheimer’s disease expert received a boost to her profile in political circles when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited her centre for neurodegenerative diseases during his trip to Hong Kong in July.
Newcomer Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a lawmaker representing the sports, performing arts, culture and publication sector, received 1,248 votes. He is the grandson of late tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung, a former vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the top political advisory body.
The NPC is tasked with enacting and amending laws, changing the constitution and overseeing its enforcement, and electing and appointing members to central state organs. Its nearly 3,000 members also direct policy on key national issues.
