Who cares about popularity? Rita Fan unapologetic as she calls time on 34 years of Hong Kong politics
Although frequently accused of switching sides and ridiculed in the media, few question the pro-Beijing heavyweight’s ability to play the political game
Known for her indelible smile and an unflinching loyalty to those in power, Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai has been a controversial figure in Hong Kong during a political career that has spanned more than three decades.
As she prepares to step down from a life in politics, the woman often ridiculed in the city’s Chinese press for her strong criticism of the opposition pan-democrats and localists – as well as for her loyalty to Beijing – remains unrepentant over the choices she made.
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“I didn’t work for popularity … I worked for the Hong Kong people,” Fan said in an exclusive interview with the Post this month.
Not one to mince words, Fan has referred to some in the pro-democracy camp as “arrogant” and was seen as being too quick to play both sides over Hong Kong’s 1997 handover from British to Chinese rule.
