The youngest female councilor in Hong Kong has announced her participation in a beauty pageant, stirring controversy in the political arena. The argument that she should focus on her legislative duties clashes with the position that personal freedom should be respected.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 25th, Angel Chong Ngai Ting (24), a councilor from the Sai Kung district, recently expressed her intention to participate in the Hong Kong TVB beauty pageant during the first interview.
The councilor became the youngest member after being elected as part of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) in the 2023 elections. She dropped her plans to attend a prestigious university in the UK and studied at Peking University's School of Government and Guanghua School of Management, obtaining a bachelor's degree in 2023.
Reactions among Hong Kong's political circles are mixed regarding her actions. The DAB, her affiliated party, officially expressed support, stating, 'We respect diverse choices and hope it will not interfere with her legislative work.'
However, the Minister of Home Affairs and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak Mei Kuen, responded to the question of whether the councilor could maintain her position if she wins the beauty pageant by saying, 'It is a principle that everyone must diligently fulfill their duties.'
A DAB member who requested anonymity expressed concern, saying, 'Most local councilors are too busy with legislative duties to have spare time, so this move could leave a negative impression.'
As the controversy continues, DAB's chairman, Gary Chan, stated, 'The councilor will make a careful decision soon,' and requested that she not neglect her duties as a legislator and the public's expectations.