Lawmakers Frankie Yick Chi-ming, Lo Wai-kwok and Chow Man-kong have announced they will not seek re-election in the upcoming Legislative Council race.
Yick, 72, who represents the transport functional constituency, said his decision came after “careful consideration” and discussions with his family and members of the Liberal Party.
Expressing gratitude for the support he has received over his 13 years in the legislature, Yick urged the transport sector and the wider public to actively take part in the coming election, encouraging more “dedicated young people” to enter public service.
He also pledged to continue promoting the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s shipping and transport industries in other capacities.
Lo Wai-kwok, the chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, also announced Monday that he will not be running in the upcoming election.
At the age of 71, he became the seventh lawmaker aged 70 or above to withdraw from the Legislative Council. Lo has been in position since 2012 and has expressed his support for the incorporation of younger representatives within the LegCo.
Meanwhile, the 44-year-old Chow Man-kong -- who served one term in the Legislative Council -- announced that he would not run in the next LegCo election as he needs more time devoted to policy research and self-improvement.
The nomination period for the election opens on October 24, with several long-serving lawmakers already confirming their departures.
Among them are Chan Kin-por, 71, an independent legislator representing the insurance sector, and Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, 76, the Liberal Party leader representing the catering sector.
Also stepping down is Tik Chi-yuen, 68, leader of the Third Side party, who said he wished to “make room for younger candidates.”
Meanwhile, Connie Lam So-wai, 37, announced she will leave LegCo to return to social work and pursue a doctoral degree, while Gary Zhang Xinyu, 36, of New Prospect for Hong Kong, cited “family reasons” for not seeking re-election.
(Updated at 9.11pm)
