‘Patriots-only’ good model for executive-legislative ties: lawmaker Doreen Kong

In a new occasional series, outgoing lawmakers reflect on their time in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council, which wrapped up its four-year term on October 24, ahead of the next general election on December 7.

Hong Kong’s first “patriots-only” 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 city’s electoral system to ensure only “patriots” 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 “warm reminders” to step down.

Dismissing speculation, she said there was no such thing as a “red line” on what could be discussed in the chamber, insisting no one had frowned on her for offering critical views.