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Jess Ma

Hong Kong’s Security Bureau, police and customs have joined the government’s push to boost voter turnout in the coming Legislative Council election by releasing a series of lighthearted videos featuring top officials getting hair makeovers while using Cantonese puns to urge residents to vote.
These clips play on the shared Cantonese pronunciation for “hair” and “law”, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair.
The campaigns feature Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming and Commissioner of Customs and Excise Chan Tsz-tat along with their deputies.
The initiatives mark the latest efforts by authorities to encourage residents to vote in the Legco election on December 7, following ministers’ letters to civil servants calling on them to vote and moves by prominent businesses to grant holidays to employees who do so.

In a video released on Tuesday, police chief Chow joked that “the colour of your hair doesn’t matter; knowing how to vote is what’s most important”.
His message came at the end of a skit in which he had trouble deciding what colour to dye his hair while his three deputies each offered a different suggestion, only to find their superior had left his hair unchanged in the end.
The Security Bureau led the pack with a short clip posted during the nominations period for the election, featuring Tang, undersecretary Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, and permanent secretary Patrick Li Pak-chuen.
“Gelling hair is important for the maintenance of one’s image; legislation is even more important to maintain social stability,” Tang said in a voice-over, using a pun on the similar Cantonese pronunciation for “gelling hair” and “legislation”.

The three officials were shown slicking their hair back, fitting their suit jackets and checking their reflections in a retro-styled video backed by soulful music.
The nomination period ran from October 24 to November 6, with 161 contenders later cleared to run.
This “haircare” theme carried over to videos from the police force and customs, both set in hair salons.

In its version posted on Monday, customs played on the Cantonese phrase for changing one’s hair parting to mirror the changing of terms in the coming election.
Filmed in a Shanghai-style barber shop, customs chief Chan demanded a change in his hair parting. “Changing one’s hair parting is important for hair health. Our Legislative Council is also changing terms,” Chan said, drawing approving nods from his deputies.
Beyond these two security branches, the Immigration Department has taken a different approach.
In its promotional clip released on Monday, British snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan, who gained Hong Kong residency last year through a talent scheme, spoke in Cantonese to remind residents to “remember to vote”.


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Hair-raising: Hong Kong’s top officials style Cantonese puns into poll-day push

In a video, police chief Joe Chow urges residents to prioritise voting in the coming Legislative Council election. Photo: Handout

Secretary for Security Chris Tang carefully styles his hair. Photo: Handout

Customs chief Chan Tsz-tat demanded a change in his hair parting. Photo: Handout

The Immigration Department used snooker star Ronnie O’Sullivan (right) to remind people to vote. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong’s economy, global ties main issues at party’s Legco election forum

The DAB held the forum for Election Committee constituency candidates on Monday. Photo: Sun Yeung

The event gave candidates the chance to put forward their ideas. Photo: Sun Yeung

Surprises in Hong Kong Legco election nominations as tycoons back unions

The Legislative Council election nomination period closed on Thursday. Photo: Sam Tsang

Sonia Cheng, executive director of New World Development Co. Photo: May Tse

Stanley Ng, president of the Federation of Trade Unions, at a campaign rally in Sai Wan Ho. Photo: Edmond So

News

Hong Kong

Politics

Video clips play on shared Cantonese pronunciation for ‘hair’ and ‘law’, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair


Video clips play on shared Cantonese pronunciation for ‘hair’ and ‘law’, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair.


Hair-raising: Hong Kong’s top officials style Cantonese puns into poll-day push

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Video clips play on shared Cantonese pronunciation for ‘hair’ and ‘law’, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair

Video clips play on shared Cantonese pronunciation for ‘hair’ and ‘law’, encouraging residents to prioritise voting over styling their hair