The current term of the Hong Kong Government still has about 1 year in office, but the “centennial party celebration” is approaching, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s team to reappear a major change. The Hong Kong government on Friday (25) broke with the usual practice, the first appointment of disciplinary forces from Li Ka-chiu as the Chief Secretary for Administration, while the Commissioner of Police Tang Ping-keung before the end of the term to be promoted to the Secretary for Security, his former post by Deputy Commissioner Siu Chak-yee to take over. Foreigners questioned the new round of appointments, making Hong Kong, an international financial center, become a “military official ruling Hong Kong”.
China’s State Council issued a press release at 11 a.m. on Friday (25), saying that in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law and upon the nomination and recommendation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, the State Council decided to appoint the incumbent Secretary for Security Li Ka-chiu as Chief Secretary for Administration, Commissioner of Police Tang Ping-keung as Secretary for Security and Deputy Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee as Commissioner of Police. Chief Secretary for Administration Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who is over 70 years old, left his post early.
Mrs. Lam met with reporters after half an hour, for the candidate is “personal will”, she did not respond positively, only to emphasize that the three appointments are now the most ideal candidates.
This is the first time a person with a police background as Chief Secretary for Administration, plus the Commissioner of Police Deng Bingqiang was promoted to Secretary for Security. Both Secretaries of Departments are from the police force. So this new round of personnel appointments, whether it wants to send a political message to the outside world, so that the SAR Government into a “police government”?
Carrie Lam: meritocracy
Mrs. Lam argued that the government is meritocratic, she said that Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, will not be the main officials from a specific professional and background, will not change the rule of law in Hong Kong and the fundamental nature of the free economy, I hope the community will not have unnecessary speculation.
Carrie Lam said: the post of Chief Secretary for Administration has also had a business background, joined the accountability team of Henry Tang to do, so I think it is meritocracy, especially in the political accountability system is meritocracy, is not mind the talent of the person is from what background, including the government outside or within the government.
Lee’s super ability is questioned Lin Zheng: he used to lead 40% of civil servants
The political secretary must be in charge of education, housing and other nine policy bureaux, and 170,000 civil servants in Hong Kong, but Lee Ka-chiu only has the experience of managing the security category. When Lee joined the police force with a secondary school education, he graduated from Charles Stewart University in Australia, and then pursued a master’s degree in public policy and administration.
On the issue of Li Ka-chiu’s competence, Lin Zheng responded that Li Ka-chiu as Secretary for Security, the past four years to lead the disciplinary forces, that is, 40% of civil servants, asked why outsiders believe that Li Ka-chiu is incapable of coordinating and coordinating the different policies of the entire government.
Lee Ka-chiu: I feel very honored
The three succeeding officials spoke one by one, and Lee Ka-chiu, who was promoted to Chief Secretary for Administration, said he was “honored” by the appointment.
Li said: I feel very honored, I will fully support the Chief Executive’s administration, in accordance with the Basic Law, the full and accurate implementation of “one country, two systems”, the SAR in Hong Kong after the implementation of the National Security Law, from chaos to governance, the implementation of patriots to rule Hong Kong after the perfect election system, the end of the chaos and destruction of the period, to start a new chapter of construction and effective governance.
Before the selection of the Chief Secretary for Administration was confirmed, it was widely rumored in political circles that the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr. Nip Tak-kuen, and the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr. Tsang Kwok-wai, were the popular candidates to replace Matthew Cheung.
The past seven Secretaries of Departments were mostly Administrative Officers.
Li Ka-chiu and Tang Ping-keung have been on the U.S. sanctions list of Hong Kong officials for their involvement in suppressing human rights in Hong Kong. And the Hong Kong government recently used the national security law to raid Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper, which drew international flak. The two men’s new appointments have attracted much attention.
Lee Ka-chiu renounced his British citizenship in mid-2012 and was promoted to the post of Secretary for Security, and this time became the first Chief Secretary from the police system in Hong Kong. The past seven Secretaries of State, most of them from the political bureaucracy, including Anson Chan, Donald Tsang and Stephen Lam, even businessman Henry Tang, also after serving as Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Financial Secretary, before being promoted to Chief Secretary.
Lam Cheng: Foreign media tried to discredit the National Security Law
At the press conference, reporters asked about the Hong Kong government’s enforcement action against the Apple Daily. The government is acting in accordance with the law, “not to suppress the freedom of the press”, reiterated the media organizations suspected of endangering national security, can not be used as a shield. She also said she noticed that some foreign media continue to “smear” the law enforcement actions of the SAR, she said each smear is to downplay the issue of endangering national security.
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