Veteran lawmaker and politician Regina Ip has announced she will not be running in the upcoming legislative elections, ending her 17-year tenure at Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo).
Ip, 75, made the announcement at a press conference held by the New People’s Party, which she chairs, alongside fellow lawmaker and party member Lo Wai-kwok, 73.
They are the last two septuagenarian lawmakers to announce they will not be running for seats in LegCo, following speculation about an age limit for the next LegCo term excluding those in their seventies.
Saturday’s announcement comes after the two-week nomination period for the “patriots-only” election began on Friday.
17 years
Speaking at a press conference, Ip said she witnessed “dark periods” in the legislature over the past 17 years as a lawmaker, describing “occupations” of the council that severely disrupted government operations.
“Fortunately, following the improvement of the electoral system in 2021, the Legislative Council’s operations have returned to normal,” she said.
The outgoing lawmaker was referring to an electoral overhaul resulting from a resolution by the central government’s top legislative body passed after the enactment of Beijing’s national security law.
“In particular, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance has always been my foremost concern. I am delighted that this Legislative Council has fulfilled its historic mission, passing many bills to promote economic development and improve people’s livelihoods,” she said.
Ip was Secretary for Security when she tried to introduce Hong Kong’s own security law more than two decades ago. Mass protests in 2003 caused the legislation to be shelved, and Ip stepped down as security minister.
Ip made her announcement as the NPP said it would be fielding eight hopefuls for the race, including Dominic Lee, running in the New Territories North East constituency; Judy Chan, running in Ip’s Hong Kong Island West constituency; and Adrian Ho, gunning for a seat in the Election Committee constituency.
Eunice Yung of the NPP was not one of the eight.
The younger generation
“After 17 years of service, I feel it is time to pass the baton to the younger generation,” Ip said.
“I would also like to promise my supporters that I am not retiring,” Ip said, adding that she still had her work on the Executive Council and at her think tank, the Savantas Policy Institute.
“I hope that my supporters, whether it’s my fans or my netizens, will not be disappointed. I will not leave you, and I will always serve you, the country, and Hong Kong in the days to come.”
The LegCo elections will be held on December 7.
Among its 90 seats, 20 will be returned from the directly elected geographical constituencies; 30 from special interest groups known as functional constituencies, and 40 from a powerful election committee, which is also responsible for choosing Hong Kong’s leader.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) on Tuesday announced it is fielding 26 candidates for the December polls. Fourteen of its 19 current legislators are on the list, meaning five are not seeking re-election.
The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions is fielding 16 candidates, including Stanley Ng, running in the Hong Kong Island East constituency; Bill Tang, running in Kowloon East; and Joephy Chan, in New Territories South West.
