Hong Kong’s new legislature to be youngest in 2 decades, averaging 51 years old
Legco rejuvenation driven in part by departure of 35 incumbent lawmakers, including 12 aged 70 or above
Hong Kong’s new legislature will be the youngest in the past two decades, with incoming lawmakers averaging 51 years old, according to public data.
The age is four years younger than that of the current line-up and seven years below the previous batch, which ended its term in 2021.
The rejuvenation of the Legislative Council is partly a result of the departure of 35 incumbent lawmakers, including 12 who are 70 years or above, such as the Liberal Party’s 76-year-old Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, the oldest and longest-serving member.
Among the newly elected, Vivian Kong Man-wai is the youngest. The retired Olympic fencing gold medallist tried her hand in politics at the age of 31 and won a seat to represent the tourism sector in Legco.
The eldest is Chan Siu-hung, 67, of the Election Committee constituency.
In comparison, the average age of current lawmakers is 55, with a wider age range of 35 to 76.