Leung Chai-yan (梁齊昕), the 33-year-old daughter of former Hong Kong Chief Executive and current Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, Leung Chun-ying, was found unconscious at a serviced apartment in Shau Kei Wan on the evening of 8th April 2025. She was later confirmed dead upon arrival at the hospital. The police have initially stated that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, though the cause remains to be determined after a post-mortem examination.
Leung Chun-ying expressed his shock and grief in a social media post the following morning, writing that his daughter “left us suddenly without leaving a word, peacefully lying on her bed.” He also mentioned that she had recently taken the flu vaccine and was still in good health prior to her passing.
A Bright Student: A London Education Cut Short
Leung Chai-yan was known for her excellent academic performance from a young age. She attended the German Swiss International School in Hong Kong before pursuing her studies at the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE), where she enrolled in a law programme. However, she eventually took a break from her studies in 2013 due to personal reasons.
Public Family Conflict: “I Live in Prison”
Between 2014 and 2015, Leung Chai-yan openly shared her struggles with family dynamics on social media, accusing her parents of emotional manipulation and control, and describing herself as living in a “prison”. One of the most publicised incidents occurred in 2015 when she had an argument with her mother, Leung Tong Ching-yee, at Lan Kwai Fong in Central, which reportedly escalated into a slap fight, making headlines.
Her candid posts, although controversial, drew attention to the issues of mental health and familial pressure, sparking a wider conversation. Many young people could relate to her story, feeling that she had bravely exposed the difficulties of trying to find oneself under the shadow of a powerful political family.
Mental Health and Public Awareness
Leung Chai-yan had previously been open about her struggles with emotional breakdowns, self-harm, and self-doubt, highlighting that even those from prominent political families were not immune to the heavy burdens of emotional and psychological stress.
She chose a more low-profile life, moving to the UK and attempting to distance herself from the public eye. While she tried to rebuild her life, the emotional pressures she faced ultimately proved too much to bear.
Leung Chun-ying: The Controversial Former Chief Executive
Leung Chun-ying served as Hong Kong’s Chief Executive from 2012 to 2017, and his tenure was marked by a hardline approach that generated significant controversy. Under his leadership, Hong Kong saw the Umbrella Movement of 2014, where his government’s response to student and public protests was widely criticised as being excessively repressive.
Leung was also embroiled in the UGL bribery scandal, where the Australian company paid him HK$50 million (around £390,000) in return for helping it secure business deals in Hong Kong, sparking further political fallout for his administration. These events became significant blemishes on his political career.
However, his supporters argue that he displayed strategic thinking in addressing social and economic issues, though his methods were not universally appreciated. Some would even claim that his approach was like a cup of tea that not everyone could stomach.
Leung Tong Ching-yee: The Controversial First Lady
Leung Chun-ying’s wife, Leung Tong Ching-yee, a member of a prominent family, was also frequently in the public eye. As a strong political figure, she often defended her husband in public. However, she became a controversial figure after the 2015 public argument with her daughter, with the media portraying her as a controlling mother.
Much like many public women, Leung Tong had to strike a delicate balance between her private life and the intense scrutiny of the public. Some have suggested that her approach to this balancing act at times veered into the territory of a real-life soap opera. Nevertheless, there is no denying her resilience in the face of public scrutiny, though her role occasionally led people to question whether she was playing the lead in a political family drama.
Leung Chai-yan: A Voice of True Expression
Despite the controversy surrounding her, some netizens saw Leung Chai-yan as a representative of “true, unfiltered expression.” In a world full of political facades, her honesty stood out. Many saw her as a modern-day rebel, trapped within a system she could not fully adapt to, and her story became an untold chapter in Hong Kong’s contemporary political landscape.
A Society’s Reflection: A Soul Lost Under Pressure
Leung Chai-yan’s death not only represents a personal family tragedy but also serves as a cautionary tale for society. When mental health, familial expectations, and public scrutiny intertwine, the consequences can be devastating. Her life, though filled with struggles and controversy, forces us to reflect on the pressures faced by those in the shadows of powerful political families.
Leung Chai-yan’s story shows us that she was not simply the “Chief Executive’s daughter”, but rather a young woman struggling to find her identity amidst the weight of familial and societal expectations. In a world where scripts are often written for everyone, hers is a story that may never be fully understood.
May she rest in peace, free from the burdens that once defined her.
