Hong Kong politician Starry Lee to quit as leader of city’s largest party after 8 years, citing workload concerns

Starry Lee, who has been chairwoman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong for eight years, announces decision not to seek re-election

DAB vice-chairman Gary Chan Hak-kan, who also sits on the government’s key decision-making Executive Council, is widely tipped to succeed Lee as party chief

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Starry Lee became DAB chairwoman eight years ago, succeeding veteran Tam Yiu-chung. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 9:30am, 9 Aug 2023Updated: 8:49pm, 9 Aug 2023

The chairwoman of Hong Kong’s largest political party has announced that she is stepping down, citing concerns about workload.

Lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king, who has led the pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) for eight years, revealed her decision in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“With limited time and limited work capability, I am starting to realise that it may not be conducive to the development of the party [if I continue],” Lee, 49, said.

“After careful consideration, I have decided not to run for election as DAB chairman.

“I am pleased to see that there is much talent in the party and I am certain that the future chairman will be more successful.”

Lee succeeded party veteran Tam Yiu-chung as the city’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, China’s top legislative body, in March, becoming the youngest Hong Kong member yet in the role. Since then, all eyes were on whether she would step down from the party leadership.

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