Hong Kong Olympian Vivian Kong cites ‘racing tourism’ work in Legco bid scrutiny

Hong Kong Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong Man-wai, who is vying for the Legislative Council seat representing the travel industry, has highlighted her past efforts in promoting “racing tourism” when questioned by election authorities about her ties to the sector.

According to documents scrutinised by the Post on Thursday, the 31-year-old fencing star has received backing from some of the city’s heavyweights, including Stephen Ng Tin-hoi, chairman and managing director of Wharf Holdings, and veteran HSBC banker Peter Wong Tung-shun.

Sino Group chairman Daryl Ng Win-kong and Kerry Properties chairman Kuok Khoon-hua also showed up earlier to support her election bid.

In a letter marked “urgent” and dated Monday evening, just hours after the former athlete submitted her application, the returning officer for the tourism functional constituency requested supplementary information from her before validating her nominations.

That included a request for Kong to elaborate on her personal experience and professional or occupational qualifications within the sector, which would demonstrate her ability to represent and contribute to the interests of the tourism industry. Kong was also asked whether she was a “member, partner, officer or employee” of a corporate elector in the sector.

In her four-page response, Kong stressed her past efforts to advance racing tourism, a strategy unveiled in the government’s travel industry blueprint last year, during her tenure at the Jockey Club.