Former lawmaker Philip Wong, 82, dies of cancer

Former Legislative Council Member Philip Wong Yu-hong, died of cancer on Sunday night US time, his family said. He was 82.

Wong, having recovered from lung cancer five years ago, was said to have his cancer relapsed this year, with the cancer cells spreading to his brain, according to sources.

Wong has been in a coma in an American hospital for more than two months and died in the hospital peacefully.

Born in Fujian in 1938, Wong has served Hong Kong as a lawmaker for over 20 years from 1991 to 2012, both before and after the handover.

He was also a deputy to the National People’s Congress, a recipient of the Gold Bauhinia Star award, and vice-chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. 

He was best remembered for raising his middle finger at thousands of protesters who had gathered outside the council building to oppose the planned introduction of Article 23 national security legislation in July 2003.

He came under severe criticism from all sectors of society and later apologized for his conduct.