HONG KONG — The burgeoning political career of Parisian gold medalist fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai is casting a long shadow over Hong Kong’s upcoming Legislative Council functional constituency election, particularly in the competitive Tourism sector. While Kong’s surprise entry has dominated headlines, her seasoned opponent, tourism executive Ma Yat-chiu, is pushing back against the narrative that he is merely a “sacrificial lamb” in a pre-ordained contest.
Ma Yat-chiu, a long-time tourism professional and current Kwun Tong District Councillor, recently spoke out, disputing claims that his candidacy is futile against the celebrity power of the “Queen of the Sword,” Vivian Kong. With the incumbent lawmaker, Yao Pak-leung, shifting to the Election Committee constituency, the Tourism seat has become a high-stakes duel between a highly recognized sports icon and a veteran industry insider.
Veteran Challenges ‘Blessing List’ Allegations
In an interview, Ma, director of a tourism and technology company, staunchly rejected the notion of a “blessing list” influencing candidate outcomes, pointing out that Beijing’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office has repeatedly dismissed such speculation. He stressed that his 27 years of deep cultivation in the travel industry make him the sector’s most qualified representative, emphasizing the need for legislative representation by someone with “genuine industry expertise and political experience.”
Ma’s bid is his second for the seat; he ran previously and received only 13 votes against Yao Pak-leung. He admitted the initial defeat was painful but insists his renewed participation is driven by a desire to enact meaningful policy changes and ensure the industry’s voice is heard in the legislature.
While Kong has declined interviews through her team, Ma expressed respect for her decision to enter politics. He acknowledged that her immense popularity and status as a Hong Kong icon could benefit the tourism sector’s image. However, he remained pragmatic about her policy capabilities. “Whether she understands [how to advance tourism development], we do not know. Perhaps she is very capable,” he noted, urging industry unity regardless of the election outcome. Ma also stated that should he lose, he would willingly offer his expertise and support to Kong for the good of the sector.
Policy Proposals Focus on Special Interest Tourism
The contest highlights differing approaches to revitalizing Hong Kong’s crucial tourism economy.
Ma, who started his career in the travel sector in 1998, focuses on actionable, niche tourism development. He proposed expanding the current horse racing tourism trial program, advocating for the Hong Kong Jockey Club to offer more corporate boxes and special pricing to travel agents. Crucially, he suggested creating a specialized “Horse Racing Tourism Guide” training program and licensing system under the Travel Agents Registry to diversify employment and attract higher-spending visitors.
Beyond racing, Ma is a proponent of automotive tourism. He pitched an “International Classic Car Tourism Festival,” combining antique car exhibitions with heritage site visits, proposing the use of temporary permits to allow multi-million-dollar vintage cars to parade to historical sites like Tai Kwun. He conceded that high taxation on vintage cars and restrictive temporary driving limits require immediate government policy adjustments to realize such events.
Addressing the growing Middle Eastern market, Ma emphasized the need for better Halal-compliant infrastructure, including the production of multilingual resources identifying certified restaurants and prayer spaces to meet crucial visitor needs.
For her part, Vivian Kong, whose detailed platform was recently published online, centers her vision on shaping a “Hospitable Hong Kong.” Her plan emphasizes greater integration of culture, sports, and tourism, including aggressively promoting sports tourism linked to large events and leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in film, music, and pop culture to enhance the visitor experience.
The high-profile matchup involving the Olympic champion, even before the Legislative Council election formally begins, underscores the intense scrutiny placed on political newcomers and the enduring debate over whether celebrity influence can substitute for long-term policy experience in shaping Hong Kong’s economic future.
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