In its latest issue, the Economist examines the “peculiar distortion” in the political structure of Hong Kong’s nomination committee for the next chief executive, of which the 1,200 seats are distributed to different sectors of society.
They interviewed Wong For-Kam, 58, the chairwoman of the 230-member Aberdeen Fisherwomen Association, which has more political influence than you would think.
The association is one of 160 farming and fishing organisations, which hold 60 nomination committee seats and 70 LegCo seats between them.
Compare that to the number of seats that the financial industry gets: 18.
Aquaculture accounts for less than 0.01 percent of Hong Kong’s GDP.
The Economist writes that Hong Kong’s fishing fleet depend on vital fishing grounds controlled by mainland authorities.
Unsurprisingly, the Aberdeen Fisherwomen Association Chairwoman doesn’t really see an issue with how much representation the fishing and farming industry gets in the nomination committee.
“I don’t think we have enough seats,” Wong said.
“Our contributions, if you ask me, are very big,” she stated. “Because everybody eats fish.”
Can’t argue with that!
Photo: Andrés García via Flickr
