Hong Kong's pro-establishment politician 'Flea Queen Joephy' jumps into public consciousness after surprising election success

Joephy Chan Wing-yan surprised the political world by unseating veteran pan-democrat Frederick Fung Kin-kee by just 99 votes.

The 25-year-old candidate of the leftist Federation of Trade Unions, also backed by pro-establishment Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, is perhaps one of the best-kept "secret weapons" of the pro-establishment camp.

Born in Hong Kong, Chan completed a degree in economics and finance at the University of Hong Kong, after returning from Britain on completion of her secondary school studies. She had also taken an external law degree from the University of London.

Her name was known to few people until earlier this year when she started preparing for the elections. Even during the run-up, she chose to keep a low profile, avoiding media interviews and open debates at election forums. "I hope to spare more time to serve residents and focus on the election campaign," she said in defence of her approach, in what sounded like a well-rehearsed script, during a brief chat with the before the election. Chan has portrayed herself as "the new hope" for the Lai Kok constituency in Shamshuipo district.

Promoted as a "rising star" of the pro-establishment camp, she gain widespread media attention after helping public housing tenants deal with flea problems in their homes; it earned her the nickname "Flea Queen Joephy".

"I am here to offer new hope to the residents by adopting new ideas to clean up the old problems in the district," she said after ousting Fung, who served the constituency for 12 years.