Youngest councilor gunning for Regina Ip

The youngest incoming district councilor - Angel Chong Nga-ting - says one of her key performance indicators will be to surpass executive council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee in social media followers while being the key channel between the administration and teenagers.

Peking University student Chong, 23, was appointed to represent Sai Kung district.

She told The Standard's sister paper Sing Tao Daily she will receive public opinions from social media so Hong Kong's younger people can contact her directly or online.

Her short-term goal is to attract more followers to Instagram than Ip, who has 22,000 followers - the highest among politicians. She is also planning to expand her social media exposure by opening her own YouTube channel.

Chong, born and raised in Hong Kong and studying at Peking University's School of Government and Guanghua School of Management to learn about national development, says: "The root cause for many problems is lack of communication and asymmetric information. Perhaps young Hongkongers feel their opinions are not heard and society is treating them unfairly.

"Many problems can be solved as long as we enhance communication."

Chong also says authorities cannot force youngsters who have emigrated overseas to return, but she hopes to build a better Hong Kong so they will be willing to return.

"As long as they feel there is hope in Hong Kong, naturally, they will return," she says.