Gary Chan

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For the Hong Kong cyclist and inventor, see Gary Chan (inventor).
In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Chan. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Gary Chan and the Chinese-style name is Chan Hak-kan.

The Honourable
Gary Chan Hak-kan
BBS, JP
陳克勤
File:Chan Hak-kan in 2019.jpg
Chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 September 2023
Preceded byStarry Lee
Member of the Legislative Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 January 2022
Preceded byNew constituency
ConstituencyNew Territories North East
In office
1 October 2008 – 31 December 2021
Preceded byLi Kwok-ying
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
ConstituencyNew Territories East
Personal details
Born (1976-04-24) 24 April 1976 (age 50)
Fujian, China
PartyDemocratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong
New Territories Association of Societies
EducationSyracuse University
Chinese University of Hong Kong (BSS)
OccupationLegislative Councillor
SignatureFile:Chan Hak-kan signature.svg
Gary Chan
Traditional Chinese陳克勤
Simplified Chinese陈克勤
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinChén Kèqíng
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationChàhn Hāk kàhn
JyutpingCan4 Hak1 kan4
File:Chan Hak-kan.png
Chan in c. 2016

Gary Chan Hak-kan, BBS, JP (born 24 April 1976) is a Hong Kong politician who serves as a current member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. He represents the New Territories North East constituency and is a chairperson of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) political party.

Biography

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Chan was born in Fujian, People's Republic of China. He graduated from the Department of Government and Public Administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong,[1] and studied in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University. He was a member of Sha Tin District Council from 1999 to 2003. He was appointed as special assistant to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Sir Donald Tsang, from 2006 to 2008.[2][3]

In 2008, Chan followed Lau Kong Wah in running to represent New Territories East in the Legislative Council elections after resigning as special assistant to the Chief Executive.[4] With about 100,000 votes for their party list, both Chan and Lau were declared elected.[5]

Shortly after the election results were announced, Chan was widely ridiculed for his poor English. He is quoted as saying in response to a reporter's question that the DAB would "try our breast ... to improve people's living hood [sic]".[6]

In February 2021, Chan supported a maximum length of hair for prisoners in Hong Kong, claiming that "If prisoners have long hair, they can hide small blades or weapons in their hair and that could threaten the safety of correctional officers or other inmates ... Discipline is needed in jail."[7]

In 2010, Chan voted to build a cemetery near the mainland China border, but in 2021, became vigorously opposed to it.[8]

In January 2022, Chan did not raise his right hand when taking the oath while being sworn in as a legislative councillor.[9]

In October 2022, Chan said he was disappointed that Article 23 security legislation was pushed back and not part of any plan to be introduced in 2022, saying that the national security law was "incomplete."[10]

On 16 October 2022, Chan said that housing in Hong Kong could be solved, saying "It's the same in Hong Kong.. The land and housing problem and the gap between the rich and poor are not unsolvable, as long as the SAR government puts in the work and Hong Kong people are united.[11]

On 25 September 2023, Chan was elected as the chairman of DAB, succeeding Starry Lee.[12]

Controversies

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Urine inspection

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In a pre-election debate on 2008, Chan proposed to impose mandatory drug tests on teenagers returning from Mainland China, so as to fight against the abuse of narcotics by them. The plan was criticised as abusing human rights.[13]

Libel

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In another pre-election debate on 2008, Chan questioned Leung Kwok-hung regarding his "one-minute attendance" in each LegCo meeting. Leung denied the accusation and considered it a libel on him. He replied with the fact that he had over 95% attendance and asked for an apology.[13]

References

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  1. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ^ Political parties look to young guns Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, cuhk.edu.hk. Accessed 8 August 2023.
  4. ^ 29 DAB candidates to contest LegCo Election 9 July 2008
  5. ^ DAB retains top spot in HK election, chinadaily.com. 9 September 2008.
  6. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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  13. ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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