Hong Kong's face of democracy to quit

Updated July 9, 2008 10:44:15

Former Hong Kong Chief Secretary, Anson Chan, has announced her retirement from politics but will continue in a democracy mentoring role. [Reuters]

Hong Kong's top democracy advocate, Anson Chan has announced that she won't be seeking second term in September's Legislative Council elections.

As Radio Australia's Connect Asia program reports, the city's former top civil servant will continue to her fight for the Hong Kong to attain universal suffrage by 2017.

Anson Chan was the first ever Chinese to hold the position of chief secretary when Hong Kong was still a British colony.

For decades, Ms Chan has been the face for democracy on the island.

Since the handover to China in 1997, she has been campaigning tirelessly for the special administrative region to attain universal suffrage, earning her the reputation of being "the conscience of Hong Kong."

The 68-year-old veteran, however, is quitting mainstream politics.

She's announced she won't seek re-election to the legislative council this September, choosing instead to help nurture Hong Kong's next generation of democratic leaders.

She told Connect Asia, she's "looking at the bigger picture."

"Now that we have two firm dates for universal suffrage, the year 2017 for the election of the Chief Executive and the year 2020 for election of all members of the legislature, I feel personally, that it's extremely important to make sure that by those dates, we have as many qualified politicians who support democracy, who are in tune with the expectations of the community so that there is genuine choice for the electorate," she said.

"I think it's more important to encourage aspiring young politicians to participate in elections, to experience the trials and tribulations of elections including defeat as the tides of public opinion is against them and in that way learn."

Some analysts have warned Ms Chan's withdrawal would hurt the prospects of the pro-democracy camp in the legislative council.

But Ms Chan says this is not the case.

"The fight for democracy cannot just depend on one person," she said.

"It must depend on collective efforts on everybody pulling in the right direction.

"We need to develop our future politicians on a firm basis."

China's vice-president, Xi Jinping, arrived on Sunday and met with local officials and Democrats urged him to implement swifter direct elections.

They handed him a letter calling for elections earlier than the 2017 promised by Beijing.

Anson Chan says she has faith that Beijing will keep that promise, despite pro-democracy activists being unable to meet directly with Mr Xi during his Hong Kong visit.

"I'm willing to take them at their word.

"I think it's important for Hong Kong people to rally together and convince the government that we want genuine universal suffrage."