Rita Fan
Encyclopedia
Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai GBM
GBS
CBE
JP
' onMouseout='HidePop("74595")' href="/topics/Shanghai">Shanghai
, China
) was the President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
(LegCo) after the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom in 1997. She was the first woman to hold that position.
Fan is a member of the Hong Kong delegation to the Eleventh National People's Congress
of the People's Republic of China
.
from 1952 to 1964 and then at the University of Hong Kong, receiving a BSc
in Chemistry and Physics in 1967 and a MSSc
in Psychology in 1973.
Prior to the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Fan was the Hong Kong Deputy to the Ninth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China (1998–2003), Member of the Preparatory Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1995–1997) and Member of the Preliminary Working Committee for the Preparatory Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1993–1995).
Under British rule, she was a Member of the Executive Council
(1989–1992) and a Member of the Legislative Council (1983–1992).
(1990–1992) and Chairman of the Board of Education
(1986–1989).
to paper and banking magnate Hsu Ta Tung
. She was named after Rita Hayworth
.
She was married to Stephen Fan Sheung-tak until his death from liver cancer
in 2004 and has a son and a daughter from the marriage. Their daughter suffered from renal failure
in 1995, and Fan donated a kidney to save her daughter's life.
Fan was diagnosed with breast cancer
in 2001 and underwent a mastectomy
. She is Honorary President of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system, is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the postnominal letters GBM and the style "The Honorable"...
GBS
Gold Bauhinia Star
The Gold Bauhinia Star is the highest rank in Order of the Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong, created in 1997 to replace the British honours system of the Order of the British Empire after the transfer of sovereignty to People's Republic of China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special...
CBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
JP
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
' onMouseout='HidePop("74595")' href="/topics/Shanghai">Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
) was the President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
(LegCo) after the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom in 1997. She was the first woman to hold that position.
Fan is a member of the Hong Kong delegation to the Eleventh National People's Congress
National People's Congress
The National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
.
Background
Fan studied at St. Stephen's Girls' CollegeSt. Stephen's Girls' College
St Stephen's Girls' College , known as SSGC, which is one of the grant schools under Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui , is a girls' schools in Hong Kong. Originally on Caine Road, the school moved to its current location at Lyttelton Road, Mid-Levels, in 1923. The main building is listed as one of the...
from 1952 to 1964 and then at the University of Hong Kong, receiving a BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Chemistry and Physics in 1967 and a MSSc
Master of Social Science
A Master of Social Science is a taught Master's degree which has a number of different meanings dependent upon the education system in question.-Finland & Sweden :...
in Psychology in 1973.
Political career
Fan is known for her long career in the public sector:- President of the Council since 1997 including the Second Legislative Council (2000–2004), First Legislative Council (1998–2000) and the Provisional Legislative Council (1997–1998)
- Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
Deputy to the Tenth National People's CongressNational People's CongressThe National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
of the People's Republic of China - Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong with China Charitable Trust Fund
- Supervising Adviser of the Hong Kong Federation of Women
Prior to the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Fan was the Hong Kong Deputy to the Ninth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China (1998–2003), Member of the Preparatory Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1995–1997) and Member of the Preliminary Working Committee for the Preparatory Committee for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (1993–1995).
Under British rule, she was a Member of the Executive Council
Executive Council of Hong Kong
The Executive Council of Hong Kong is a core policy-making organ in the executive branch of the government of Hong Kong.. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong serves as its President.The Executive Council normally meets once a week...
(1989–1992) and a Member of the Legislative Council (1983–1992).
Public service
Fan served as Chairman of the Education CommissionEducation Commission
Since its set up in 1984 as a non-statutory body , the Education Commission of Hong Kong is to advise the HKSAR Government on the overall development of education in the light of the community's needs...
(1990–1992) and Chairman of the Board of Education
Board of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
(1986–1989).
Family and personal life
Rita Fan was born in ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
to paper and banking magnate Hsu Ta Tung
Hsu Ta Tung
Hsu Ta Tung , was a Chinese business magnate and the father of Daisy Hsu and Rita Fan.-Life:Hsu was born in Zhenhai County , Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. His father was a teacher at Chongzheng College , and he also graduated from this school.Hsu went to Shanghai and joined a bank as a clerk...
. She was named after Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth was an American film actress and dancer who attained fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars...
.
She was married to Stephen Fan Sheung-tak until his death from liver cancer
Liver cancer
Liver tumors or hepatic tumors are tumors or growths on or in the liver . Several distinct types of tumors can develop in the liver because the liver is made up of various cell types. These growths can be benign or malignant...
in 2004 and has a son and a daughter from the marriage. Their daughter suffered from renal failure
Renal failure
Renal failure or kidney failure describes a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood...
in 1995, and Fan donated a kidney to save her daughter's life.
Fan was diagnosed with breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in 2001 and underwent a mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
. She is Honorary President of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.
See also
- National People's CongressNational People's CongressThe National People's Congress , abbreviated NPC , is the highest state body and the only legislative house in the People's Republic of China. The National People's Congress is held in the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, capital of the People's Republic of China; with 2,987 members, it is the...
- Legislative Council of Hong KongLegislative Council of Hong KongThe Legislative Council is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong.-History:The Legislative Council of Hong Kong was set up in 1843 as a colonial legislature under British rule...
- Politics of Hong KongPolitics of Hong KongPolitics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by its constitutional document, the Basic Law of Hong Kong, its own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a multi-party system...
- List of graduates of University of Hong Kong