Hong Kong pro-democracy party chief Wu Chi-wai may give up Wong Tai Sin district seat after 20 years
- Democratic Party chairman mulls handing constituency over to fellow veteran democrat Rosanda Mok
- It is the latest in a series of strategic switches by high-profile legislators holding – or eyeing – a local council seat
The leader of Hong Kong’s flagship pro-democracy party may not seek re-election in district council polls this year, bringing to an end a five-term winning streak.
According to a source, Wu Chi-wai is considering handing his constituency in King Fu, Wong Tai Sin district, to another veteran democrat, Rosanda Mok Ka-han. Mok switched from the struggling grass-roots organisation the Association for Democracy and People’s Livelihood (ADPL) to Wu’s Democratic Party in late 2017.
The move, which would require party approval, would be the latest in a series of strategic switches by high-profile legislators with a seat – or hoping to win a seat – on a local council. District council elections will be held in November.
Wu has won the past five elections in King Fu, starting in 1999. In 2003, 2007 and 2011 he romped home with more than 4,000 votes, while his opponents did not even hit 1,500. But it was a tighter race in 2015, Wu’s first district poll since becoming a legislator in 2012.
Mok is a former four-term Sham Shui Po district councillor. She resigned as chairwoman of the ADPL after it lost its only Legislative Council seat in 2016.
