In a new occasional series, outgoing lawmakers reflect on their time in Hong Kongโs Legislative Council, which wrapped up its four-year term on October 24, ahead of the next general election on December 7.
Hong Kongโs first โpatriots-onlyโ legislature has established a good model of executive-legislative relations where key policies are first discussed with officials in closed-door meetings, retiring legislator Doreen Kong Yuk-foon has said.
Kong, 55, a solicitor by training, made her debut as an independent lawmaker in 2021, winning a seat in the first Legislative Council election after Beijing revamped the cityโs electoral system to ensure only โpatriotsโ held political power.
Known for her outspoken views, she declared recently that she was ending her career as a lawmaker to return to her legal practice.
She said the decision was a personal one and not prodded by anyone, and she did not receive calls or โwarm remindersโ to step down.
Dismissing speculation, she said there was no such thing as a โred lineโ on what could be discussed in the chamber, insisting no one had frowned on her for offering critical views.