HKSAR govt officials reshuffled with State Council nod

BEIJING/HONG KONG - China's State Council on Wednesday announced the appointment and removal of several key officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

The decision was made in accordance with the HKSAR Basic Law of the People's Republic of China, and based on the nomination and suggestion of HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, previously director of immigration, was appointed Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, replacing Patrick Nip Tak-kuen.

Nip was appointed Secretary for the Civil Service, replacing Joshua Law Chi-kong.

Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, undersecretary for labour and welfare, replaces Lau Kong-wah as Secretary for Home Affairs.

The State Council also appointed Alfred Sit Wing-hang, director of electrical and mechanical services, as Secretary for Innovation and Technology, replacing Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung.

James Henry Lau was removed from the post of Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury. Christopher Hui Ching-yu, executive director of Financial Services Development Council, replaces him.

Speaking at a news conference, Lam extended gratitude to four outgoing bureau chiefs for their efforts to serve the society and the Hong Kong government.

She also expressed admiration for the newly-appointed officials' spirit as they are taking up the positions amid a difficult time.

The Hong Kong leader also pledged that she and the governing team will make every effort in the following two years to fight the coronavirus pandemic, retain and create jobs and improve people's livelihood. Her current five-year term runs through June 2022.

Lam said she believes the team has the capacity to lead the city to ride out the crisis as early as possible.

Nip, the new Secretary for the Civil Service, said Hong Kong's civil servants are mainstays in the city's stability and prosperity.

He vowed to lead civil servants to safeguard the rule of law and serve residents with full commitment.

New Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Tsang, meanwhile, said several crucial elections, including the Legislative Council election slated for September, as well as the promotion of the Constitution and the Basic Law, would top his work agenda.

Foreseeing challenges, Tsang voiced his confidence to serve successfully in the new post.

Christopher Hui Ching-yu, new Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, said Hong Kong's advantages in finance cannot be easily changed despite the difficulties and challenges the city is facing.

The gateway to the Chinese mainland for foreign businesses, Hong Kong should strengthen the asset management business, leverage its advantages and seize opportunities in financial technology and green technology, according to Hui.

For new Secretary for Home Affairs Tsui, fighting the COVID-19 pandemic is the priority. He said he would work with cultural and sports sectors after the coronavirus crisis to boost the city's economic recovery.

New Secretary for Innovation and Technology Sit, meanwhile, vowed to enhance communication and cooperation with different sectors to let residents understand and support the government's inno-tech policies.

Different sectors of Hong Kong said they hope the newly appointed senior government officials will help the city ride out the plight and lead it with full commitment.

Starry Lee Wai-king, chairperson of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the city's largest political party, said the new governing team should unite to fight the coronavirus pandemic and prepare to bolster the city's economy after the epidemic is under control.

Lee said she hopes the new officials will be sincere with residents and lead Hong Kong's effort to move on.

The lawmaker believes the priority of Tsang, the new secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, will be ensuring that this year's legislative election won't be affected by violent incidents and can be run smoothly and fairly.

Lee also suggested Nip consider civil service reforms to improve the civil service's efficiency.

Lo Wai-kwok, a lawmaker for the engineering constituency, expects the new officials to first work on residents' pressing issues in this difficult time.

"(I hope) they can do appropriate things in a timely manner," he said.

Alice Mak Mei-kuen, a lawmaker for the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, welcomed the appointment of the five officials. She said she hopes the government can take more aggressive and effective measures to support employees who need help after the city's economy was seriously battered by the social unrest and epidemic.

Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, said senior officials need to be reshuffled to strengthen the Hong Kong government's credibility and capacity amid the crisis.

Lau hopes the new lineup will improve residents' impression of the government.

With Xinhua inputs