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Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Hong KongPolitics

Major shift of strategy on the cards for Hong Kong pro-democracy camp after veteran drops out of by-election

Frederick Fung steps down from contesting the Kowloon West constituency, saying he hopes move will mend rift and unite members

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Frederick Fung Kin-kee from the Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood says he hopes his exit will heal the divide in the pro-democracy camp. Photo: Sam Tsang
Ng Kang-chung

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp is considering a major shift in strategy for the coming Legislative Council by-elections after the withdrawal of second-choice candidate and veteran Frederick Fung Kin-kee.

Fung, who was a backup for the Kowloon West constituency, announced his decision on Monday amid apparent pressure from inside his camp. Some members feared his low popularity meant he might lose if he had to run in place of favourite Edward Yiu Chung-yim in the March polls.
Yiu’s eligibility for the race is unclear, as he was among six pan-democrats ousted from Legco last year for improper oaths of office. Their disqualification came after the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, the country’s top legislative body, interpreted the Basic Law, Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, in a controversial move.

Eligibility of disqualified lawmaker to run in Legco by-election will be examined, justice minister says

There has been concern that Yiu’s comeback bid in the by-elections could be rejected by the government on the basis of the standing committee’s ruling being applied to the entire term of the current legislature.

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Fung, of the Association for Democracy and People’s Livelihood, said he hoped that stepping down would mend internal rifts so the pro-democracy camp could unite for the by-election.

Last week, Power for Democracy, which is coordinating efforts within the camp for the polls, organised a primary to choose candidates. The group was expected to call a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the camp’s next move.

Group convenor Andrew Chiu Ka-yin said in a statement: “We shall invite all stakeholders who had previously signed agreements [on the mechanism of the primary elections] to the meeting. We will also hold talks based on the principles of the current agreements, and consider the views of the public and various political parties.”

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