{{short description|Hong Kong politician (born 1972)}} {{For|other people with similar names|Ray Chan (disambiguation){{!}}Ray Chan|Ray Chen}} {{family name hatnote|Chan (陳)|Raymond Chan|Chan Chi-chuen|lang=Hong Kong}} {{Use British English|date=June 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Raymond Chan Chi-chuen | office = Chairman of People Power | honorific_prefix = | native_name = {{nobold|陳志全}} | native_name_lang = zh-hk | image = Raymond Chan in 2018 (cropped).jpg | caption = Chan Chi-chuen in 2018 | predecessor = Erica Yuen | successor = Leung Ka-shing | party = People Power <small>(2011–2021)</small> | constituency1 = New Territories East | office1 = Member of the Legislative Council | predecessor1 = Wong Sing-chi | successor1 = ''Constituency abolished'' | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1972|4|16}} | birth_place = Hong Kong | death_date = | death_place = | spouse = {{marriage|Francis|2021}} | partner = | children = | alma_mater = Chinese University of Hong Kong (BSocSc in Sociology) | occupation = Presenter<br />Radio commentator<br />Politician | website = | term_start = 10 September 2016 | term_end = 2 May 2021 | term_start1 = 1 October 2012 | term_end1 = 30 September 2020 | signature = Raymond_Chan_Signature.png }} {{Infobox Chinese |order= |showflag= |t=陳志全 |j=Can<sup>4</sup> Zi<sup>3</sup> cyun<sup>4</sup> |y=Chàhn Ji chyùhn |p=Chén Zhìquán }} '''Raymond Chan Chi-chuen''' (born 16 April 1972 in Hong Kong, {{lang-zh|t=陳志全}}), also called '''Slow Beat''' ({{lang|zh|慢必}}) in his radio career, is a former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (representing the New Territories East constituency), presenter and former chief executive officer of Hong Kong Reporter.
Chan is the first openly gay legislator in Hong Kong and East Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/hong-kong-sees-its-first-out-gay-politician110912/|title=Hong Kong sees its first out gay politician|date=11 September 2012|website=Gay Star News|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-date=12 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412032733/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/hong-kong-sees-its-first-out-gay-politician110912/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gay lawmaker makes rights pledge |url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=126388&sid=37616495&con_type=1&d_str=20120912&fc=2 |newspaper=The Standard |date=12 September 2012 |location=Hong Kong |page=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227071707/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=21&art_id=126388&sid=37616495&con_type=1&d_str=20120912&fc=2 |archive-date=27 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Tsang|first=Emily|title=Raymond Chan hailed by gay community|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1034414/hong-kong-legislator-hailed-admitting-he-gay|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=12 September 2012|location=Hong Kong|page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gay rights takes step from closet|url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1035236/first-openly-gay-legislator-raymond-chan-helps-pluralistic|newspaper=South China Morning Post|date=13 September 2012|location=Hong Kong|page=14}}</ref> He resigned from the Legislative Council on 28 September 2020, citing that he would not serve in an "appointed legislature" after Beijing had extended the legislators' terms by a year.<ref name="scmp_20200928"> {{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3103379/two-opposition-hong-kong-lawmakers-formally-announce|title=Two Hong Kong opposition lawmakers announce exit from Legislative Council as result of 'stay-or-go' poll looms|first=Natalie|last=Wong|work=South China Morning Post|date=28 September 2020|access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref> Chan, along with most other pro-democracy politicians in Hong Kong, is currently imprisoned.
==Education== Chan graduated from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1994 with a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Sociology.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
==Career== In the early 1990s, under the stage name Slow Beat, he teamed up with Tam Tak-chi (aka Fast Beat) to host a radio show on Commercial Radio Hong Kong, known as ''Fast Slow Beats'', with help from Winnie Yu. The duo gained popularity when they hosted ''Challengers of Fire'' on Asia Television in 1997, but left the show one year later.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} They remained partners after joining Metro Showbiz in 2000 until Chan quit his career as radio host in 2007. He then spent one year practicing Buddhism in Japan.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} He returned as radio host at Internet radio station Hong Kong Reporter in 2010 and was named its chief executive officer in 2011.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}
Ray Chan is a Buddhist. In early 2009, he was a Buddhist monk in a Japanese temple, and he can read some fundamental Sanskrit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jcchuhainews.chuhai.edu.hk/?p=4748|title=珠 海 新 聞|website=jcchuhainews.chuhai.edu.hk|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>
In September 2010, along with several fellow hosts of Hong Kong Reporter, Chan became a co-founder and deputy spokesperson<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr10-11/english/panels/itb/minutes/itb20101119.pdf|title=Legislative Council LC Paper No. CB(1)1225/10-11|publisher=Legislative Council of Hong Kong|date=2 February 2011|access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> of political group Power Voters (later part of People Power), whose objective was to oppose the Democratic Party in the 2011 district council elections. Chan failed to challenge Democrat Lee Wing-tat in Lai Wah of Kwai Tsing District Council.
In 2012, he teamed up with Erica Yuen in running for the Legislative Council election and was ultimately elected.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2012-07/31/content_15633145.htm|title=Court tosses opposition challenge over CE election|work=China Daily|first=Joseph|last=Li|date=31 July 2012|access-date=11 August 2012}}</ref> After the election, he came out as a gay<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ihktv.com/sudden-955-liukaichi-son.html | title=廖啟智19歲兒子易服 自稱廢青同志 – HKChannel | access-date=2 January 2017 | archive-date=2 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102171826/http://www.ihktv.com/sudden-955-liukaichi-son.html | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ent.ifeng.com/|title=娱乐频道_凤凰网|website=ent.ifeng.com|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> man and voiced his support for LGBT rights in Hong Kong, including the legislation of the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance.
With the successful strategic voting among the pro-democracy voters, Chan was one of the five non-establishment candidates to be re-elected in the 2016 election with 45,993 votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Results|url=http://www.elections.gov.hk/legco2016/eng/rs_gc_GC.html|website=2016 Legislative Council Election|publisher=Registration and Electoral Office|access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref> In the 2017 Chief Executive election, he supported radical legislator Leung Kwok-hung of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) to run for the Chief Executive through an unofficial civil petition, despite the mainstream pro-democrats backing former Financial Secretary John Tsang.<ref>{{cite news|title='Long Hair' Leung Kwok-hung enters chief executive race, urging allies not to vote for 'lesser evils'|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2069091/long-hair-leung-kwok-hung-enters-ce-race-urging-allies-not-vote|date=8 February 2017|newspaper=South China Morning Post}}</ref>
On 4 June, in an attempt to disrupt the third reading of the National Anthem Bill at the Legislative Council, Chan and fellow lawmaker Eddie Chu attempted to disperse pungent liquid towards the President of the Legislative Council, Andrew Leung. They were stopped before they could reach the rostrum; Chan dropped the liquid and a lantern on the floor.<ref name="hkfp_odorous_objects_fine">{{cite web|title=Hong Kong democrats fined for throwing odorous objects during national anthem bill meetings|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/06/16/hong-kong-democrats-fined-for-throwing-odorous-objects-during-national-anthem-bill-meetings/|first=Rachel|last=Wong|work=Hong Kong Free Press|date=16 June 2020|access-date=17 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=陳志全朱凱廸衝主席台掟「臭蟲」 警員消防到場搜證|url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20200604/bkn-20200604125428635-0604_00822_001.html|access-date=2020-06-04|website=on.cc東網|language=zh-hk}}</ref> On 16 June, Legislative Council president Leung announced that Chan and Chu would be fined roughly HK$100,000 each for their actions. Chu declared the same day that he and Chan would examine and possibly challenge the decision.<ref name="hkfp_odorous_objects_fine"/>
Chan resigned from the Legislative Council on 28 September 2020, citing that he would not serve in an "appointed legislature". Prior to his resignation, the Legislative Council term had been extended, upon authorization by the central government on request of the Hong Kong government, by a year in order to resolve the limbo that had been created by the postponement of the 2020 legislative election.<ref name="scmp_20200928"/>
In a brief statement issued through his sister on 2{{nbsp}}May 2021, Chan, who was in jail at that time, announced that he was quitting People Power and withdrawing from politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3131981/former-hong-kong-lawmaker-raymond-chan-announces-he|title=Former Hong Kong lawmaker Raymond Chan announces he is quitting politics|first=Kang-chung|last=Ng|work=South China Morning Post|date=2 May 2021|access-date=4 May 2021}}</ref>
==Arrests== Chan was arrested on 1 November 2020, along with six other democrats, in connection with a melee that had broken out in the LegCo on 8 May 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/11/01/just-in-hong-kong-police-arrest-7-democrats-in-connection-with-chaos-during-may-legislative-meeting/|title=Hong Kong police arrest 7 democrats in connection with chaos during May legislative meeting|first=Kelly|last=Ho|work=Hong Kong Free Press|date=1 November 2020|access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref>
On 6 January 2021, Chan was among 53 members of the pro-democratic camp who were arrested under the national security law, specifically its provision regarding alleged subversion. The group stood accused of the organisation of and participation in unofficial primary elections held by the camp in July 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55555299|title=National security law: Hong Kong rounds up 53 pro-democracy activists|publisher=BBC News|date=6 January 2021|access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> Chan was briefly released on bail on 7 January,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/01/08/hong-kong-has-entered-a-bitter-winter-says-primaries-organiser-as-52-democrats-in-mass-arrest-bailed-out/|title='Hong Kong has entered a bitter winter,' says primaries organiser as 52 democrats in mass arrest bailed out|first=Candice|last=Chau|work=Hong Kong Free Press|date=8 January 2021|access-date=4 February 2021}}</ref> but returned to custody on 28 February along with most others charged.
On 16 September 2021, Chan was released on bail after his application was granted by High Court judge Esther Toh.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title="Slow Beat" Raymond Chan Chi-chuen granted bail|url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/180369/High-Court-bails-14th-Legco-primaries-suspect|website=The Standard}}</ref> On 2 November, High Court judge Esther Toh upheld her decision to grant bail to Chan because he had a history of cooperating with the government during his time in the legislature, he had been named by LegCo president Andrew Leung as the most diligent lawmaker, and he had previously supported some government bills.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-02|title=Hong Kong judge cites localist group ex-leader's record as lawmaker in granting bail|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3154617/national-security-law-hong-kong-judge-credits-raymond|access-date=2021-11-02|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-02|title=【初選47人案】陳志全獲保釋 判詞指梁君彥大讚勤力有建設 {{!}} 獨媒報導|url=https://www.inmediahk.net/node/%E7%A4%BE%E9%81%8B/%E3%80%90%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B847%E4%BA%BA%E6%A1%88%E3%80%91%E9%99%B3%E5%BF%97%E5%85%A8%E7%8D%B2%E4%BF%9D%E9%87%8B-%E5%88%A4%E8%A9%9E%E6%8C%87%E6%A2%81%E5%90%9B%E5%BD%A5%E5%A4%A7%E8%AE%9A%E5%8B%A4%E5%8A%9B%E6%9C%89%E5%BB%BA%E8%A8%AD|access-date=2021-11-04|website=獨立媒體}}</ref>
On 30 May 2024, Chan was found guilty of subversion in the primaries case, along with 13 other defendants.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/hong-kong-democrats-brace-landmark-subversion-trial-verdicts-2024-05-30/|title='Hong Kong 47' trial: 14 democrats found guilty in landmark subversion case|first1=Jessie|last1=Pang|first2=James|last2=Pomfret|work=Reuters|date=30 May 2024|access-date=17 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2024/05/30/who-are-the-16-hong-kong-democrats-awaiting-verdict-in-the-citys-largest-national-security-trial/|title=Who are the 16 Hong Kong democrats awaiting verdict in the city's largest national security trial?|work=Hong Kong Free Press|date=2024-05-30|access-date=2024-06-17}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[http://www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/members/yr12-16/ccc.htm Legislative Council of Hong Kong Member Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001717/http://www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/members/yr12-16/ccc.htm |date=4 March 2016 }} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120813020818/http://www.pp2012.hk/PW/nte.php People Power NT East] *{{Facebook|chanchichuen|陳志全議員（慢必）專頁}}
{{s-start}} {{s-par|hk}} {{s-bef|before=Wong Sing-chi}} {{s-ttl|title=Member of Legislative Council|district=New Territories East|years=2012–2020}} {{s-non|reason=Constituency abolished}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=Erica Yuen}} {{s-ttl|title=Chairman of People Power|years=2016–2021}} {{s-aft|after=Leung Ka-shing}} {{s-end}}
{{Hong Kong 47}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chan, Raymond Chi-chuen}} Category:1972 births Category:Alumni of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Category:Gay politicians Category:Hong Kong television presenters Category:People Power (Hong Kong) politicians Category:The Frontier (Hong Kong, 2010) politicians Category:Living people Category:Hong Kong LGBTQ rights activists Category:Hong Kong LGBTQ politicians Category:Hong Kong gay men Category:Hong Kong Buddhists Category:HK LegCo Members 2012–2016 Category:HK LegCo Members 2016–2021 Category:Political prisoners held by Hong Kong Category:LGBTQ leaders of political parties