Paris Olympics: Hong Kong security chief slams critics of fencing champion Vivian Kong
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong’s security minister has slammed critics of Olympic fencing champion Vivian Kong, whose political stance came under public scrutiny after her alleged pro-establishment ties were widely reported.
Any Hong Kong citizen “with a conscience” should support Kong and other people who were patriotic, supportive of the government and anti-violence, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said on Thursday after attending a graduation ceremony for prisoners who completed a diploma programme while in custody.
The 30-year-old fencer made history for Hong Kong last month when she was crowned champion in the women’s epee individual event at the Paris Olympic Games. Congratulations poured in on the first few days after her victory, but scepticism about the athlete’s politics grew as the media dug into her past.
Tang told reporters on Thursday that the fencer was “very supportive” of the government and had condemned violence. Kong’s stance was “worth encouraging,” but some “villains” had launched personal attacks against the athlete, Tang said.
Prior to the opening of the Paris Olympics, the security chief said in a video that Kong supported the work of the Security Bureau and he was looking forward to seeing her win the most.
“These villains do not wish Hong Kong well… they are unhappy when they see Hong Kong doing well. What they are most afraid of is Hong Kong citizens being united. They are most afraid of Hong Kong citizens supporting the government,” Tang said in Cantonese.
Tang went on to say that the “villains” use “threatening means” to make people refrain from expressing patriotism and their support for the government. He also used a derogatory slur to describe critics of the Olympian, which roughly translates as “retarded.”
“I remember these villains had said those who support the government are retarded. What I want to say is, people who did not wish Hong Kong well, they are retarded… I believe all Hongkongers with a conscience should come out and condemn these retards…” Tang said.
Kong controversy
Since Kong topped the Olympic podium, local media outlets and netizens began to delve into her background. In 2021, Kong was invited by a pro-establishment group of candidates competing as council members of the Law Society of Hong Kong to give a talk on the rule of law, local media reported.
In 2022, the fencer joined the Security Bureau’s Youth Uniformed Group Leaders Forum as a guest speaker, sharing how young people can move forward despite challenges, according to a government press release.
Kong was also an executive member of the pro-establishment group Y. Elites Association.
The debate on the Olympic champion’s political stance became more heated when a paper submitted to the Renmin University of China became widely circulated on social media. The paper, which appeared to be written by Kong and dated June 2021, argued that supporters of Occupy Central had neglected the role of Hong Kong’s Basic Law in China’s legal system
The 79-day-long civil disobedience movement of 2014 had brought “tremendous harm and far-reaching negative consequences,” the paper read.
Last week, Kong announced she was stepping away from professional fencing. Earlier this week, Raymond Tam, executive director of corporate affairs for the Hong Kong Jockey Club revealed that the fencer would be joining the club as Assistant External Affairs Manager to promote youth affairs and sports development.
Kong will start her new job on Sunday.
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