Linda Wong Shui-hung, Civic Party member

'I was the external vice-chairman of the Hong Kong University student union in 1997. We organised activities that let the public view the historic moment of the handover from different perspectives. At that time, my feeling towards the reunion with the mainland was rather complicated: on the one hand, I was happy to see an end to colonial rule; on the other hand, there was a feeling of uncertainty, for Hong Kong was uniting with a country that did not have a good track record in respecting human rights and freedom of speech.

'I came back to politics and became a founding member of the Civic Party last February. 2007 is another historic political time, as we have an important issue to deal with: universal suffrage. I think Hongkongers are mature enough for it. Even though I may not live to see it happen, we should start the process of asking for it for our next generation.'