An Olympic gold medalist is turning her attention to politics as she enters Hong Kong's upcoming elections. China is striving to shore up the legitimacy of the city's legislature even though it vets all prospective candidates.

Kowloon

Vivian Kong, a gold medal-winning fencer from the Paris Olympics, has declared her candidacy for Hong Kong's Legislative Council. Kong, who is openly pro-Beijing, will renounce her Canadian citizenship to run for a seat representing the tourism sector, despite having no prior political experience.

Her entry is part of broader efforts by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to present the city's legislature as more democratic and open, following electoral reforms and a national security crackdown. With a significant portion of the current legislature stepping down, Kong's participation is seen as a move to attract younger voters and refresh the candidate pool.

China pins hopes on Olympic star to shore up Hong Kong democracy

She won gold at the Paris Olympics and now Hong Kong's star fencer Vivian Kong is entering the electoral fray. A move seen to support China's efforts to shore up the legitimacy of the city's legislature. After retiring from being a full-time athlete, I stepped out of my comfort zone. I gradually realised that the spirit of sports actually applies to every field. Beijing loyalists control the Legislative Council, but state media have indicated China wants more political talent and competition amongst its allies. One third of the current legislature is set to step down, including veteran pro-Beijing lawmakers. Openly pro-Beijing, Kong announced her candidacy this week and said she would give up her Canadian citizenship to run. Her entry comes as Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have sought to frame the city as democratic and open, amid international criticism of the national security crackdown. She will contest one of 30 seats reserved for those who represent professional sectors. Despite having no experience, Kong will challenge to represent the tourism sector. Political scientist Sunny Lo says competition will be less fierce and her chances of being elected as a legislative councillor will be high. She hopes to rejuvenate the profile of candidates through Vivian Kong's participation such that more young people will be aware of the election and hopefully this can indirectly stimulate younger people to vote in the upcoming elections. After mass pro-democracy protests in 2019, China imposed a national security law in 2020. It then revamped the electoral system in 2021, effectively marginalising the once feisty opposition. For more UN videos visit www.un.org

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