Starry Lee becomes sole Hong Kong member of nation’s top legislative body, succeeding veteran politician Tam Yiu-chung

Starry Lee Wai-king, the leader of Hong Kong’s largest political party, has vowed to strengthen communication with the central government as she succeeded veteran politician Tam Yiu-chung to become the city’s sole member of the national legislature’s apex body.

Lee, 48, became the youngest Hong Kong member yet to join the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, after being elected by 2,901 delegates on Saturday during the annual parliamentary meetings in Beijing, while 35 people voted against her and three abstained.

Political analysts noted that Lee would be expected to act as a messenger between Beijing and Hong Kong as the central government shifts the focus from national security to boosting the city’s role in the country’s development.

The newly elected representative said she felt “extremely honoured and thankful to the country”, adding she had great responsibilities to shoulder.

“Hong Kong is closely connected to the development of the country,” she told the media during a virtual interview from Beijing. “I will serve as a ‘communication bridge’ to reflect residents’ opinions to the central government, so that Beijing and the standing committee can better understand the situation in Hong Kong.”