She developed a close relationship with the Beijing authorities subsequently, assuming the office of the President of the Beijing-installed Provisional Legislative Council on the eve of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong.

She continued her position as the President of the SAR Legislative Council and first contested in the geographical constituency direct election in Hong Kong Island in 2004.

[1] Fan strongly espoused the case for mother tongue education and suggested that the government should increase the university graduates ratio of primary teachers.

[1] After the first Legislative Council direct election which saw the emergence of the populist pro-democracy camp in the legislature, Fan joined the appointed members led by Allen Lee to form the conservative parliamentary group Co-operative Resources Centre in 1991, which soon transformed into Liberal Party.

Due to Patten's confrontational approach in putting forward the constitutional reform proposal which was strongly opposed by the Beijing authorities, which Fan saw as "a threat to a smooth handover", she decided to resign from both the Executive and the Legislative Councils in 1992.

[5] Soon after her retirement from the colonial government, she took a position in the Emperor Group run by Albert Yeung who had multiple criminal records which sparked controversy.

She was severely attacked for her switching side and was called "chameleon" and "Jiang Qing of Hong Kong", wife of Chairman Mao Zedong and the head of the Gang of Four.

She demonstrated a largely acclaimed and respected firm but fair manner of presiding at meetings, and dealing with the radical members such as Leung Kwok-hung who she ejected from the Legislative Council chamber in November 2004.

[13] In February 2021, Fan said that those who want to run in the Legislative Council should be nominated by the election committee, and that district councillors should be banned from selecting the Chief Executive.

"[14] In March 2021, Fan claimed that electoral changes by the NPCSC to only allow "patriots" to serve in the government might lead to earlier universal suffrage for the Chief Executive position.

[16] In April 2023, Fan said that District Councils should have democratically elected seats limited to 22%, to protect from "Western forces or Taiwan independence advocates.