Vivian maligners 'villains, morons'

Eunice Lam

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung defended gold medalist fencer Vivian Kong Man-wai's support for the government and slammed her detractors as "villains" and "morons."

Kong, who won a historic gold medal in women's epee at the Paris Olympics, has announced her retirement from full-time fencing. The 30-year-old starts a new career with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, according to its corporate affairs executive director Raymond Tam Chi-yuen.

That came days after heated online discussions broke out over Kong's Renmin University thesis on Hong Kong politics in 2021 for her master's degree in constitutional and administrative law.

The Beijing university had revealed that Kong's thesis was related to the advantage of one country, two systems, which included criticism of the 2014 Occupy Central unrest in Hong Kong.

Tang said yesterday: "I think it is very encouraging that Kong supports our government while condemning violence, and this is something we, as ordinary people, should follow as well," he said.

"But unfortunately, some villains are being picky and even conducting personal attacks [on Kong]...Those who have no intention of doing anything constructive for Hong Kong are morons and villains."

Tang also addressed criticism of the recently opened National Security Exhibition Gallery and said loving the country and Hong Kong as well as condemning violence should not be labeled as "brainwashing."

Meanwhile, Hong Kong fencing team chief coach Zheng Zhaokang said it is a pity for Kong to retire from fencing but respects her decision as she has been a "thoughtful and well-disciplined" athlete.

He said Kong's departure will inevitably impact the team's competitiveness but believed the city will see more fencing champions like her and Edgar Cheung Ka-long.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com