Huang Dingguang
Wong Ting-kwong GBS JP (born 12 September 1949), nicknamed "Elephant Brother" [1]for weighing over ten pounds at birth, is a Hong Kong businessman and politician from Dongguan, Guangdong. A member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, he was elected unopposed in the Import and Export functional constituency of the Legislative Council in 2004 and re‑elected without contest in 2008, 2012 and 2016. In 2004 he was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
Family background
Wong’s wife is Lam Suk-yee, former president and current honorary president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. His parents, Wong Pei-kiu and Yuen Lok-on, served as committee members of the Anti-British Persecution Struggle Committee during the 1967 riots. Wong Pei-kiu was also a founder of the National Products Company.
Education
Wong was educated at Heung To Middle School (grades 1 to Form 4) in Hong Kong and the Sixth Middle School of Guangzhou (Form 6).
Political career
In September 2004, with no opposition, Wong was returned unopposed to the Legislative Council in the Import and Export functional constituency and received the Bronze Bauhinia Star. He was returned unopposed again in 2008 and 2012.
In May 2010, Wong criticized and accused Commercial Radio host Poon Siu-tau of “misleading the public” for comments about the Democratic Alliance in a programme sponsored by his party.
In April 2012, during a filibuster by People Power over council vacancy legislation, Wong was filmed appearing to sleep in his seat. Legislator Leung Kwok-hung raised a point of order citing a “health risk,” but Wong demonstrated he was alert and not unconscious.
In November 2013, Wong denounced pro–Hong Kong Television Network protesters for insulting him and his mother with coarse language, calling it a sign of their poor quality.
In January 2015, Wong was caught clipping his nails during a council session. After being called out by legislator Roy Kwong, he angrily uttered what sounded like an obscene phrase at Kwong outside the chamber.
In April 2016, Wong testified as a witness in the trial of legislator Wong Yuk-man, who had thrown a glass at the Chief Executive, and admitted that sitting through long and dull meetings naturally caused fatigue, describing his on‑camera “sleep” as an act of protest against filibustering.[2]
Wong has been criticized for claiming democracies are inefficient, citing New Zealand’s economy as having “stalled for five years,” and for multiple appearances apparently dozing off during council meetings.
Other public roles
Member, Po Leung Kuk Advisory Board; Member, Education Bureau’s Import and Export Skills Enhancement Committee; Vice President, Hong Kong Chinese Importers’ and Exporters’ Association; Council Director, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Honorary President, Dongguan Association; and various community and advisory positions.
Controversies
Wong’s comments on democracy and his behaviour in LegCo have drawn public criticism, including unsubstantiated claims about journalists disguised as protesters and his repeated dozing off during meetings.[3]
References
External links
- Archived LegCo profile of Wong Ting-kwong