In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Chan. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Gary Chan and the Chinese-style name is Chan Hak-kan.
In 2008, Chan followed Lau Kong Wah in running to represent New Territories East in the Legislative Council elections after resigning as special assistant to the Chief Executive.[4] With about 100,000 votes for their party list, both Chan and Lau were declared elected.[5]
Shortly after the election results were announced, Chan was widely ridiculed for his poor English. He is quoted as saying in response to a reporter's question that the DAB would "try our breast ... to improve people's living hood [sic]".[6]
In February 2021, Chan supported a maximum length of hair for prisoners in Hong Kong, claiming that "If prisoners have long hair, they can hide small blades or weapons in their hair and that could threaten the safety of correctional officers or other inmates ... Discipline is needed in jail."[7]
In 2010, Chan voted to build a cemetery near the mainland China border, but in 2021, became vigorously opposed to it.[8]
In January 2022, Chan did not raise his right hand when taking the oath while being sworn in as a legislative councillor.[9]
In October 2022, Chan said he was disappointed that Article 23 security legislation was pushed back and not part of any plan to be introduced in 2022, saying that the national security law was "incomplete."[10]
On 16 October 2022, Chan said that housing in Hong Kong could be solved, saying "It's the same in Hong Kong.. The land and housing problem and the gap between the rich and poor are not unsolvable, as long as the SAR government puts in the work and Hong Kong people are united.[11]
On 25 September 2023, Chan was elected as the chairman of DAB, succeeding Starry Lee.[12]
Controversies
Urine inspection
In a pre-election debate on 2008, Chan proposed to impose mandatory drug tests on teenagers returning from Mainland China, so as to fight against the abuse of narcotics by them. The plan was criticised as abusing human rights.[13]
Libel
In another pre-election debate on 2008, Chan questioned Leung Kwok-hung regarding his "one-minute attendance" in each LegCo meeting. Leung denied the accusation and considered it a libel on him. He replied with the fact that he had over 95% attendance and asked for an apology.[13]
Inadequate English proficiency
Shortly after the result of the Legislative Council was announced and Chan's victory and position as a Legislative Councillor was confirmed, Chan was interviewed by the press on live TV, where he was questioned by one of the English-speaking reporters:
Mr Chan, you were able to get a seat, but the government-friendly camp is losing one seat, is that to your surprise?[14]
Chan replied:
It is a little bit surprise for us, but we will try our breast to….(stuttering with 3 consecutive "ers")…still, er, try our breast to, er, not just, er, criticise the government's policy, but also make some, er, good suggestions in order to improve the people's livinghood. Ok?[14]
His mistake involving the replacement of the word "best" by "breast", in particular, was criticised in the media and the general public in Hong Kong for his lack of English language proficiency despite being a Legislative Councillor.[15][16]
