Olympic fencing medalist Vivian Kong formally entered the political arena on November 20, outlining her platform for the Legislative Council’s tourism functional constituency after submitting her nomination. Appearing at the government-organized “Patriots Collaborate for Good Governance” forum, Kong, who is transitioning from elite athletics to public service, joined fellow candidate Marco Ma Yat-chiu, a Kwun Tong district councillor and business director, to present their visions for the sector. Leveraging her public profile as an Olympic champion, Kong advocates for infusing the discipline and persistence of a top athlete into advancing Hong Kong’s crucial tourism industry.
Newcomer Brings Athlete’s Drive to Public Service
Acknowledging her relative inexperience in the trade specifics, Kong emphasized that both she and the tourism industry are currently undergoing significant transitions. She articulated a commitment to approaching governance with a competitive, resilient mindset—the same spirit required when battling from behind in an athletic contest. Drawing on the lessons learned during her preparations for the Paris Olympics, Kong stated that genuine victory transcends individual accolades, culminating instead in the collective success of Hong Kong. Her campaign, encapsulated by the slogan of making “travel everywhere” a reality, reflects a dedication to broader civic contribution regardless of the specific role.
Kong views her candidacy as a practical opportunity to translate her well-recognized public influence into tangible benefits for tourism development. Specifically, she aims to position herself as the crucial “plus” element within the government’s “Sports + Tourism” initiative. She pledged to combine the professional insights of tourism stakeholders with an athlete’s enduring persistence to energize the sector, act as a vigorous advocate for industry participants, and strive for shared economic prosperity.
Key Pillars of Kong’s Tourism Platform
To achieve sustainable growth and propel the industry forward, Kong detailed a comprehensive platform focusing on several key areas. She committed to meticulous study of industry feedback, fresh negotiation approaches to balance competing interests, and effective resource mobilization.
- Integration and Development: Advancing the seamless integration of cultural, sports, and tourism activities.
- Regional Hub: Deepening regional cooperation and building Hong Kong into a leading international aviation and tourism hub.
- Global Showcase: Enhancing Hong Kong’s global image to effectively showcase the city’s unique offerings on the world stage.
Kong underscored that realizing this ambitious vision demands concerted effort: clear government guidance, industry-led innovation, robust academic support, and widespread community participation. She intends to act as a vital intermediary, facilitating synergy across various sectors, creating new opportunities, and charting a path for the sustained upgrading and successful transformation of Hong Kong’s tourism landscape.
Reflecting on her fencing career, Kong shared that overcoming repeated injuries was possible partly due to the unwavering support from Hong Kong, which instilled in her a profound sense of duty to compete globally. She asserted that even when total effort does not yield immediate victory, the enduring spirit of striving remains—a fundamental ethos she now intends to dedicate fully to serving the tourism sector and the wider community.