Miss Hong Kong Pageant a city brand, TVB says after councillor pulls out
Angel Chong, 24, says she has withdrawn from the pageant to protect the district council’s image
The organiser of the Miss Hong Kong Pageant, broadcaster TVB, has defended the beauty contest as one of the city’s brands and a childhood dream for many girls after a district councillor pulled out following criticism that taking part would have compromised her duties.
Bonnie Wong Tak-wei, assistant general manager of corporate communications at the city’s biggest free-to-air broadcaster, said on Wednesday that TVB respected Angel Chong Nga-ting’s decision as it highlighted the cultural value of the beauty contest.
“We believe that Miss Hong Kong is not merely a beauty contest but a representation of a Hong Kong brand and the childhood dreams of many young girls who grew up in Hong Kong,” she said.
Chong, 24, announced that she had decided to withdraw from the pageant to protect the district council’s image, a day after she was spotted at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O for the beauty contest’s first round of interviews.
“The incident has created a certain impact on the public’s impression of the district council. This is not something we wish to see. Therefore, we think we should follow the social perception and safeguard the council’s image,” the Sai Kung district councillor said.
“I have decided to withdraw from the Miss Hong Kong Pageant.”