Hong Kong Legco election forum presses on after candidate collapses mid-speech
Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says debate went on as other candidates present; Lee Ching-har, who collapsed, to be given chance to speak
A Hong Kong minister has defended the decision to proceed with a government-run Legislative Council election forum on Saturday afternoon after a candidate collapsed on stage while introducing herself.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, speaking after the conclusion of the debate with candidates for the Hong Kong Island East constituency, said that the 10 forums held so far had achieved their expected goal of raising awareness about the various potential representatives.
During the forum, district councillor Lee Ching-har was midway through her introduction when she collapsed, and was taken away by first responders before being sent to hospital.
“As the debate was currently progressing, we had other candidates, their cheering teams and a live audience. In this situation, we decided to continue the forum,” Tsang said.
“With regards to the candidate, we hope that she will remain healthy and recover soon. After that, we will discuss with her and perhaps during our programme replays, we will give her an appropriate amount of time to detail her agenda.”
Lee, a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), exclaimed “excuse me” before stumbling on the podium, prompting her fellow candidates and several first responders to rush to her aid.