Veteran Hong Kong lawmaker Regina Ip to end 17-year Legislative Council tenure

Veteran Hong Kong lawmaker and senior government adviser Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee has announced she will not seek another term in the coming Legislative Council election, bringing to a close her 17-year stint in the legislature.

The 75-year-old chairwoman of the New People’s Party, who has served in Legco since 2008, is not on the eight-person aspirant list announced by her party on Saturday.

“After 17 years in the legislature, I think it is time for me to pass the torch to young people,” she said.

Ip stressed that she was not retiring.

“I still have many platforms to work on,” she said, pledging to continue her work with the Executive Council and her think tank, while promoting people-to-people diplomacy, advancing policy research, and helping mainland companies expand globally.

She called on her supporters and fans not to be disheartened by her decision.

“I will not leave you. I will continue my public service to serve the city, the country, and the future,” she said.