Channel News Asia reports:

The woman once described as "Hong Kong's conscience" said Tuesday she will fight an election for the first time, in an effort to galvanise the pro-democracy movement in the former British colony.

Anson Chan, the former deputy leader of the territory, will stand in an upcoming by-election in one of the city's few openly contested seats, to try and reinvigorate democrats struggling to win universal suffrage.

"For me this is a defining moment, an opportunity to put to the test all the values I hold dear," she told reporters.

"I have taken this decision only after the most careful consideration of the implications of my personal position, but more importantly, for my potential role in furthering the democratic good governance in Hong Kong."

Chan, who has become a figurehead for the pro-democracy movement here since she marched against an electoral reform package in 2005, had appeared to rule out standing for office last week.

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