Olympian calls China and HK one family
AFP
AFP, HONG KONG: Chinas Fu Yuanhui, the Olympic swimmer who won legions of fans in Rio for her joyful over-enthusiasm, said Saturday that Chinese people and Hong Kongers were one family as fears grow about Beijings increasing influence in the semi-autonomous city.
Fu is part of a 64-strong delegation of Chinese athletes that arrived in Hong Kong on Saturday for a three-day tour, with thousands of tickets to sports events snapped up by residents ahead of their arrival.
I have always felt that we are one family, we are brothers and sisters, Fu, 20, said at a press conference when asked about her reception in Hong Kong.
The swimming star said she had many fans in the city and had been looking forward to the visit.
Fu had won praise online for speaking frankly about having her period while competing in Rio long a taboo subject for female athletes while her goofy and charming pool-side antics have also turned her into a viral sensation.
Despite winning bronze rather than gold, Fu has shot to popularity for her likeable manner. I utilised my prehistorical powers, she said in one interview after coming third in the womens 100 metre backstroke.
Some have seen the visit as a bridge-building exercise between mainland China and the city, where support for an independence movement has surged.
Many young activists are frustrated at the failure of mass pro-democracy rallies in 2014 to win any political reforms from Beijing.
