'It is time for change': Rural activists eye seats in Hong Kong district elections with plans to carry villagers' interests
Trio who launched green issues campaign target seats in three district councils
Two activists, who champion the interests of rural villagers in the New Territories and advocate an agricultural policy, have announced candidacy for the district council election next month.
Chu Hoi-dick and Cheung Kwai-choi are lining up with Chinese University academic Professor Edward Yiu Chung-yim to vie for seats in three district councils under the banner of Urban-Rural Link, a campaign launched by the trio to promote green living and sustainable development.
Chu, who caught media attention after his campaign to lead Tsoi Yuen Tsuen residents to block the government's high-speed railway project some five to six years ago, said: "The government has ignored villagers' views and pushed for development by sacrificing their land. Our district councillors have turned deaf ears to villagers' voices. It is time for change."
Chu, a core member of the Land Justice League, was defeated in the last district council election in 2011.
"I believe residents have understood more about us in the last four years," he said on Wednesday. "We are not anti-development, but we want land justice."
"We believe we will gain something even I am defeated again this time. More important is that we can promote our ideas to the villagers and residents in the district through our election campaigns."
He will run in Pat Heung South constituency of Yuen Long district council. Another candidate in the constituency is the incumbent, Lai Wai-hung.
Cheung Kwai-choi is a core member of the Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling Alliance for Homeland Protection, which opposes the government's plan to develop the northeast New Territories. He will fight for Sha Ta, North district against Chu Oi-ping, independent, and incumbent Wan Wo-fai of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
