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Anson Chan
Hong KongPolitics

Hong Kong’s former No 2 official Anson Chan steps back from public life

  • Grieving the loss of her daughter, the ex-chief secretary and a prominent campaigner for political reform wants ‘a quieter life’
  • With the national security law for Hong Kong looming, she urges young people to uphold city’s values in a ‘peaceful manner’

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Anson Chan, Hong Kong’s former chief secretary, is stepping back from politics at the age of 80. Photo: Sam Tsang
Jeffie Lam
Former Hong Kong No 2 official Anson Chan Fang On-sang, who became a vocal advocate for democratic reform in the city on the local and international stage, has announced she is stepping back from public life.
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Chan’s unexpected decision to retire from politics and other civic engagements follows the death of her daughter last month, and comes with the national security law Beijing is drafting for Hong Kong expected to be passed on Tuesday.

“I reached the age of 80 at the start of this year, an age at which I long ago promised my children I would step back from civic and political engagement and lead a quieter life,” she wrote.

“The recent loss of a beloved daughter is a devastating blow. I want to give myself time and space to mourn and recover. I also want to spend as much time as possible with my family, particularly my granddaughters and son-in-law.”

Anson Chan meeting US Vice-President Mike Pence at the White House last year. Photo: Handout
Anson Chan meeting US Vice-President Mike Pence at the White House last year. Photo: Handout
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Calling Hong Kong her home, Chan added: “I urge young people not to lose hope for their future and continue to hold fast to the values that underpin our unique city, but to do so in a law-abiding and peaceful manner.”

Chan had a daughter and a son with her late husband Archibald Chan Tai-wing, former commissioner of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police, who died in 2010.

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