Lau Chin-shek (born 12 September 1944) is a Hong Kong labour activist and former politician. He served as a member of the Legislative Council (LegCo) from 1991 to 2008, representing various constituencies in Kowloon. Lau was the president of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU), a pro‑democracy labour federation founded in 1990.
Early life and background
Lau was born in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, with family roots in Shunde, Guangdong. He migrated to Hong Kong in 1960. During the 1980s he became involved in labour advocacy, assisting factory workers in districts such as Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan, where working conditions were often poor.
Activism and political career
Following the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, Lau co‑founded the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which organises annual commemorations of the 1989 events. In 1990, together with Lee Cheuk‑yan and other activists, he helped establish the HKCTU, which grew to a membership of approximately 160,000.
Lau was first elected to LegCo in the 1991 elections and was re‑elected four times, serving continuously (except for a brief resignation in 1994 and the interim period of the Provisional Legislative Council in 1997‑1998). He represented Kowloon Central (1991‑1994), Kowloon South (1995‑1997), and Kowloon West (1998‑2008). Throughout his legislative tenure, Lau was associated with several pro‑democracy parties, including the United Democrats of Hong Kong, the Democratic Party, and the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions. He was expelled from the Democratic Party in 2000 over dual‑party membership.
Relations with Mainland China
For many years Lau was barred from entering Mainland China due to his political stance. In May 2000, after diplomatic lobbying, he was permitted a brief visit to Guangzhou to see his ailing mother. Subsequently, he advocated for greater dialogue between Hong Kong pro‑democracy figures and the Central Government.
Later years
Lau lost his LegCo seat in the 2008 election, receiving 5.1 % of the vote. In September 2008 he disclosed a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, which he reported as being under control. After withdrawing from active politics, he publicly endorsed pro‑Beijing Chief Executive candidate Carrie Lam in the 2017 election.
Recognition
Lau has been recognised as a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s labour movement and pro‑democracy politics, having served both as a legislator and as the head of the HKCTU.