*

3.12.2007

chinese woman elected in ireland

Last week Anna Lo, a Hong Kong native who has lived in Northern Ireland for 32 years, became the first ethnic minority to be elected to political office in Ireland: Chinese politician wins in N. Ireland. Chinese media reports are also describing her as the first Chinese person to be elected as a lawmaker anywhere in Europe. Lo was one of seven people elected to the 108-member Northern Ireland Assembly from the Alliance Party: Lo takes seat for South Belfast. She says she wanted to give a voice to Chinese people who never felt they had any part to play in Northern Ireland politics. Well, she won. And that is a fine start.