ExplainerAre beauty contests disparaging? The Post examines pros and cons after controversy erupted around this year’s Miss Hong Kong pageant
- Miss Hong Kong pageant embroiled in controversy after female police watchdog member criticises contest’s swimsuit section
- But Helen Yu is threatened with legal action by broadcaster TVB over her remarks at Independent Police Complaints Council meeting
A Hong Kong beauty contest became the talk of the town this week, not for its contestants, but for a comment made by a member of the police watchdog, who criticised its bikini-clad question and answer session.
But Helen Yu Lai Ching-ping’s criticism infuriated broadcaster TVB, which organised the Miss Hong Kong pageant, but also sparked a wider discussion on whether the display of female contestants’ bodies was appropriate.
The Post examines what Yu’s comment could lead to, and the history of beauty contests in the city.
1. What triggered the debate?
Yu, a former senior government official, made the comments as she talked about the levels of sex and violence in the media as part of a discussion about efforts by the force to protect and support vulnerable witnesses during a Tuesday meeting of the Independent Police Complaints Council.
“Even when speaking about the Miss Hong Kong pageant, you can see they are wearing such little clothing,” Yu said.
“Why should they be answering questions in an air-conditioned room with someone like [pageant host] Eric Tsang Chi-wai staring at you?” she added.
Veteran actor Tsang is TVB’s general manager of content operations.