FELICIA Wong Leung Kam-shan, the highest ranking female officer in the 151-year history of Hong Kong policing, has always aspired to the top.
She has struggled against the force's 'glass ceiling' during a 32-year career that has attracted both derision and praise.
But, after being promoted yesterday to Assistant Commissioner, Mrs Wong, 52, did not dwell on sentimentality. Rather, she beamed unashamedly - declaring that her elevation to the titular policy-making ranks was only what she deserved.
'I have always been ambitious and I feel, at last, that my efforts have been properly recognised,' said Mrs Wong, a mother of three.
'Of course, this is not only very good for me personally, but also in terms of breaking new ground for other women. Hopefully, there will be others who will soon join me at this rank.' If her rise to the top has been daunting, it is dwarfed by the challenges she faces.
As commander of Kowloon West, arguably the territory's most notorious region, she inherits a patch laden with action: a recent outbreak of alleged graft involving the protection of brothels, raids against the Sun Yee On triads and constant crime.