Hong Kong comeback queen Regina Ip reflects on 50-year career in public service

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee was in no mood for messing about. Pointing her index finger at reporters one October morning inside Hong Kong’s legislature, she sternly signalled for them to get out of her way.

“Don’t block my way to the meeting,” she said. “Move away.”

Her demeanour seemed to hark back to an Ip of an earlier era – the fiery, hardline security minister who spearheaded national security legislation in 2003 – while others read it as a hint that the veteran politician was about to bid a reluctant farewell to the legislature.

It was not clear then whether the 75-year-old ex-official turned lawmaker would seek another term in the December Legislative Council election after her colleagues aged 70 or older had one by one like falling dominoes declared they were stepping down.

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From Hong Kong’s ‘Iron Lady’ to ‘Big sister’: Regina Ip reflects on 50 years of public service

From Hong Kong’s ‘Iron Lady’ to ‘Big sister’: Regina Ip reflects on 50 years of public service

But it would be another 12 days before Ip put an end to speculation, when she officially declared she was giving up her seat, ending a 17-year career in the legislature.

“I toyed with the idea of serving another term, but I think at most I can serve until 79,” Ip said.