Chin Wan, born on August 11, 1961 in Hong Kong, China, is a prominent writer, scholar, and politician known for his advocacy of localism in Hong Kong. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Chinese University of Hong Kong before pursuing his doctorate in ethnology from the University of Göttingen in Germany in 1995.
Chin Wan began his career as an assistant professor at the Department of Chinese at Lingnan University and later went on to become a senior advisor to the HKSAR government on cultural, arts, and civic affairs. He also served as a research director in the Home Affairs Bureau until 2007.
Chin Wan is best known for his publications in the "On the Hong Kong City-State" series and his role as the founder and leader of the Hong Kong Resurgence Order. He is also the ideological leader of the Hong Kong Autonomy Movement, advocating for greater autonomy for Hong Kong.
Often referred to as "the godfather of localism," Chin Wan has been vocal about the importance of preserving local communities and historical landmarks amidst rapid urbanization. His localist views led to the non-renewal of his teaching contract in 2016.
In March 2021, Chin Wan announced on his Facebook account the establishment of a new political party, the Hong Kong Civile Party, in partnership with some Hong Kong youths. This move underscores his commitment to advancing his political agenda through organized means.
Chin Wan, of Han nationality, uses the pen name Chin Wan as a writer and public figure. His real name is Horace Chin Wan-kan. He has cited influential figures like Susan Sontag in his social media posts, reflecting a broad intellectual scope.
Chin Wan's contributions as a writer, scholar, and politician have left a lasting impact on the discourse surrounding autonomy and localism in Hong Kong. His dedication to preserving local identity and advocating for political reform continues to inspire a new generation of activists and thinkers.