2020 Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle

The Hong Kong Executive Council was reshuffled from 21 to 22 April 2020.[1] The reshuffle is the largest since the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, and the first after the unprecedented large-scale anti-government protests erupted.[2][3]

Chief Executive Carrie Lam and new ministers in press conference after reshuffle

Background

Since Carrie Lam assumed office as Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 1 July 2017, her approval rating has been dropping and broke the record low.[4] The extradition bill announced in March 2019 prompted massive anger in the city,[5] and triggered the largest protest in the city, demanding to withdraw the bill.[6] Local reports said the pro-government leftists suggested the sacking of officials, including Teresa Cheng, the Secretary for Justice, to calm the protestors.[7] Financial Times, cited sources, claimed Carrie Lam offered to resign for various times but were rejected by the Chinese Government. In a secret recording obtained by Reuters, Carrie Lam said she would quit if she could.[8] All these reports were denied by Lam.[9][10]

Before the significant reshuffle, Carrie Lam's administration saw three departures, including retirement of Director of Audit David Sun and Commissioner of Police Stephen Lo,[11][12] while Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen resigned for personal reasons in 2018.[13] Following the outbreak of protests, Carrie Lam was rumoured to consider reshuffling the government,[14] which she did not rule out.[15] Law Chi-kwong, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, said he once mulled resignation.[15] But without any sacking or removal of officials, the accountability system is criticised to have vanished,[16][17][18] which Lam called on the society for "giving them opportunities" as a response.[19]

On 21 April 2020, several local media outlets, citing unnamed sources, reported the cabinet would soon be shuffled.[20] Erick Tsang, Director of Immigration, was first named to reportedly succeed Patrick Nip as the new Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.[21] Sources initially suggested Nip could be sacked to "bear political responsibility",[22] but reports later said he would remain in cabinet.[14] Other ministerial changes were reported by the press later that day.[23] The reshuffle was officially announced by the Hong Kong Government on the next day after the State Council of China confirmed the new appointments.[24] New cabinet ministers and Carrie Lam met the press in the afternoon.[25]

Cabinet-level changes

Non-principal officials are italicised.

Colour key
  •      Joined the cabinet
  •      Left the cabinet
Minister Party Before reshuffle After reshuffle
Caspar Tsui Ying-wai DAB Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare Secretary for Home Affairs
Erick Tsang Kwok-wai IDSM Nonpartisan Director of Immigration Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Christopher Hui Ching-yu DAB Executive director of Financial Services Development Council Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
Alfred Sit Wing-hang JP Nonpartisan Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Secretary for Innovation and Technology
Hon Patrick Nip Tak-kuen JP Nonpartisan Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Secretary for the Civil Service
Hon Joshua Law Chi-kong GBS JP Nonpartisan Secretary for the Civil Service Left the government
Hon Lau Kong-wah JP DAB Secretary for Home Affairs Left the government
Hon James Henry Lau Jr. GBS JP Nonpartisan Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Left the government
Hon Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung GBS JP Nonpartisan Secretary for Innovation and Technology Left the government

Other changes

Official Party Before reshuffle After reshuffle Effective from
Pauline Yeung Nonpartisan Political Assistant to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Left the government 26 May 2020[26]
Julian Ip Chun-lim DAB None Political Assistant to the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury 1 June 2020[27]
Ho Kai-ming FTU Member of Legislative Council Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare 1 June 2020[27]
Au Ka-wang Nonpartisan Deputy Director of Immigration Director of Immigration 2 July 2020[28]

Deputy Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services Pang Yiu-hung was promoted to Director following the predecessor's promotion to cabinet on 4 November 2020, along with two more senior appointments announced on the same day.[29] The Financial Services Development Council announced Au King-lun, CEO of Value Partners Group Limited, succeeded Christopher Hui as the new executive director on 4 August 2020.[30]

Reasons for reshuffle

Constitutional Secretary

Electoral Affairs Commission, under the administration of Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau, was criticised by the pro-Beijing camp after the commission decided not to postpone the 2018 Legislative Council by-election despite time-clashing with the "Two Sessions", the annual plenary sessions of Chinese Parliament and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference which many Beijing loyalists were expected to attend. They were said to be furious with Patrick Nip.

After the 2019 local elections, which the democrats won in landslide due to the protest movement, pro-Beijing camp was angered by Patrick Nip for his inaction against the "unfair" situations during the voting claimed by the camp.[31][32] Nip was rumoured to be snitched since then.[33]

In April 2020, Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office and Hong Kong Liaison Office of the Chinese Government condemned the filibuster tactics by the pro-democracy camp to delay the passing of controversial National Anthem Bill. The threats against the MPs were deemed overseeing local legislative affairs, and were questioned for violating Article 22 of the Basic Law,[34] which stipulated "[no] department of the Central People's Government [...] may interfere in the affairs which the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region administers on its own in accordance with this Law." Nip, in 2018, had also confirmed the Liaison Office will abide by the law.[35] Following the controversy, the spokesman of the Government initially said in a statement that the Liaison Office is established in accordance with the Article 22, but the statement was amended for twice and eventually said the Office was not established under Article 22.[36][37] The constitutional saga emerged was said to have given a "damaging reputation", and Nip, who apologised for the chaos,[38] had to take the blame for making the "grave mistake".[32]

Despite all these scandals, Nip was not sacked in the reshuffle, likely because being favoured by Carrie Lam,[39] but was still practically demoted to the less-important Civil Service Secretary. Carrie Lam insisted the reshuffle was not related to the Article 22 chaos.[40]

Civil Service Secretary

Protest by civil servants urging the withdrawal of the bill on 2 August 2019

Tens of thousand civil servants turned out in the historic first anti-government rally on 2 August 2019, which was rejected by the Government, saying "civil servants shall serve the Chief Executive and the Government of the day with total loyalty".[41] Reports claimed the Chinese Government questioned the stance of Joshua Law, the Secretary for the Civil Service, and believed he is no longer suitable to stay, after he failed to express strong opposition and stop the rally, even Michael Ngan, organiser of the protest, was promoted.[42]

Home Secretary

The dramatic lost by the pro-Beijing candidates in the local election was said to be one of the reasons Lau Kong-wah, the Secretary for Home Affairs, was removed, as his commanding bureau controlled local resources critical for election campaigning.[33]

Reactions and aftermath

Carrie Lam thanked the contribution by the departing officials, describing the reshuffle as "to look forward",[40] adding that the main concerns were to lead Hong Kong out from the struggling economy, instead of exerting more control on the civil service or the Hong Kong–China relations.[43] Lam expressed her admiration to the new ministers for joining the cabinet in a very uneasy period.[40]

The leaving ministers released statements on the same day. Joshua Law thanked the civil servants for safeguarding the core values of the service,[44] without any mentions on the Chief Executive.[45] Lau Kong-wah said it is the appropriate time to say goodbye after five years in office, and was confident that his successor, also a party member of the DAB, will be competent for the post.[46] Nicholas Yeung said he respected the decision by the Chief Executive and is willing to leave his post, having no regret for joining the cabinet.[47] James Lau described his departure at the age of 70 is a memorable milestone.[48]

According to the opinion poll conducted by Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute in April, the four secretaries with the lowest approval rating were Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng, Security Secretary John Lee, Education Secretary Kevin Yeung, and Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung. None of those were sacked,[49] implying the reshuffle was unrelated to the popularity of the government, which is expected not to bounce following the reshuffle.[40] The first opinion poll after the reshuffle also showed the new secretaries were having negative net approval rate.[50] Analysts said the best opportunity for changing the ministers had already passed, and the whole cabinet was shadowed by the negative impression towards the political system.[51]

New Home Secretary Caspar Tsui is the first promoted from political assistant to secretary after the new administrative system was implemented.[23] DAB remained the largest ruling party in the Executive Council after two entered cabinet and one sacked.[33] Some media labelled the reshuffle as "de-Leungisation", as most of those sacked first assumed office in the cabinet of former Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.[33]

Patrick Nip became the first non-civil servant leading the service, which some argued breaching the accountability system.[52] Despite Nip stressed the new appointment is in line with the intent of the system,[53] critics worried of the hidden political agenda.[54] Erick Tsang was also the first retired member of the force to head the Constitutional Bureau, instead of appointing administrative officer as in usual practice.[22] Tsang even showed the portrait of Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, in his office,[55] and was therefore treated as the "follower" of Xi,[56] and one of the potential candidates to become new Chief Secretary.[57] Bloomberg reported the two bureaux are at the center of Beijing's demands for greater political loyalty.[2] Wu Chi-wai, chairman of Democratic Party, said the new officials are with disciplinary force background, gradually replacing those from the civil service. Wu predicted the authorities would suppress dissidents harsher, and the National Security Law could be implemented at anytime.[22]

A month after the reshuffle, Chinese Government announced the Hong Kong National Security Law would be enacted. Meanwhile, Nip announced new requirements for civil servants to pledge allegiance to the Basic Law,[58] and Tsang warned pro-democracy camp for breaching the National Security Law.[59] The Government was reshuffled in 2021 again, with John Lee, a former police, succeeded Matthew Cheung as the new Chief Secretary.

References

  1. "北京港府宣佈內閣局部改組 民主派批民望低官員留任非向港人問責". VOA (in Traditional Chinese). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  2. Lung, Natalie (2020-04-22). "Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Replaces Five Ministers in Cabinet Reshuffle". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2020-10-26. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  3. 梁日恆 (2020-04-22). "港府人事大變動,國務院免去5局長職務,原掌中港事務官員平調公務員局" (in Chinese). The Initium. Archived from the original on 2020-08-08. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  4. "特首林鄭月娥民望vote Popularity of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor". HKPORI (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  5. Victor, Daniel (2019-06-19). "The Murder Case That Lit the Fuse in Hong Kong". New York Times Chinese. Archived from the original on 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  6. "Hong Kong protest: 'Nearly two million' join demonstration". BBC. 2019-06-17. Archived from the original on 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  7. "【政情】林鄭表明不辭職 左派倡棄車保帥炒鄭若驊". Now News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-06-28. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  8. Torode, Greg; Pomfret, James; Roantree, Anne Marie (2019-09-03). "Special Report: Hong Kong leader says she would 'quit' if she could, fears her ability to resolve crisis now 'very limited'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  9. "【逃犯條例・短片】從未向中央請辭 林鄭否認「若可選擇第一件事會辭職」". Ming Pao (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-09-03. Archived from the original on 2020-05-11. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  10. 沙半山 (2019-07-14). "【傳林鄭辭職】特首辦晚上回覆:林太從無辭職過". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  11. "朱乃璋獲任命審計署署長". Oriental Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-01-01. Archived from the original on 2020-11-06. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  12. "盧偉聰退休前寄語新丁光明磊落". Ming Pao (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-11-17. Archived from the original on 2020-01-18. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  13. "林鄭:尊重袁國強個人理由請辭 有信心鄭若驊勝任". Hong Kong Economic Journal (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2018-01-05. Archived from the original on 2018-01-06. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  14. 陳小瑜、林劍、陳嘉洛 (2020-04-21). "政府地震 消息:政制局長聶德權平調 曾國衞替補 另有高官出局". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  15. "受訪被問有無考慮過辭職 羅致光:點會無諗過". RTHK (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  16. "修例風波:學者議員轟問責制失敗 首要撤換鄭若驊". Oriental Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-10-19. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  17. 葉振東 (2019-06-29). "【專訪王永平】為何未有官員問責下台?問責制名存實亡?". Stand News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2019-08-14. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  18. "石鏡泉失言尚且請辭 高官失職該如何問責?". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-07-24. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  19. "【逃犯條例】被質疑無人下台問責制名存實亡 林鄭:管治會困難盼市民畀機會【16大尖銳問題 Q&A】". Sky Post (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2019-06-18. Archived from the original on 2020-11-02. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  20. "NOW 引消息:入境處長曾國衞將接替聶德權 出任政制及內地事務局局長". Stand News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-21. Archived from the original on 2020-07-14. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  21. "【人事調動】消息:曾國衞加入問責班子接替聶德權". Now News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-21. Archived from the original on 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  22. "聶德權孭鑊 引爆高官大執位 鷹派當道". Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  23. 陳, 嘉洛; 陳, 小瑜 (2020-04-21). "【獨家】消息:勞福局副局徐英偉接民政局長 與劉江華同屬民建聯". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-05-04. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  24. "Government announces appointment and removal of Principal Officials (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  25. "行政長官與新任命主要官員會見傳媒的發言(只有中文)(附圖/短片)". info.gov.hk (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-07-10. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  26. "Political Assistant to Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury tenders resignation". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  27. "Appointment of Under Secretary and Political Assistant (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  28. "Appointment of Director of Immigration (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  29. "Senior appointments (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  30. "Appointment of Executive Director of the Financial Services Development Council". Appointment of Executive Director of the Financial Services Development Council. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  31. 吳, 倬安; 鄭, 寶生 (2019-11-27). "【區議會選舉】質疑選舉過程公平性 蔣麗芸擬舉辦投票問題申訴會". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  32. 陳, 小瑜; 林, 劍; 陳, 嘉洛 (2020-04-21). "政府地震 消息:政制局長聶德權平調 曾國衞替補 另有高官出局". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-05-28. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  33. 周, 禮希 (2020-04-22). "【林鄭換閣】一文看清政府大換血4大特質 梁朝「遺臣」成重災區". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-05-04. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  34. "中聯辦:「兩辦」不受基本法廿二條限制 可在香港行使監督權 警告議員要為損香港利益「埋單」" (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Stand News. 2020-04-17. Archived from the original on 2020-04-19. Retrieved 2020-04-21.
  35. "【自治全失】鐵證如山!聶德權打倒兩年前說法 西環搲爛塊面唔守法". Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-19. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  36. "中聯辦稱兩辦不受基本法22條所限 港府:中聯辦須遵守基本法及香港法律". Ming Pao (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-18. Archived from the original on 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-04-22.
  37. 顧, 書維 (2020-04-19). "勢要成為最難纏的對手". Citizen News (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2021-07-04. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  38. "聶德權再就22條混亂致歉 撐中聯辦表達意見非干預". Inmedia (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-23. Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  39. 陳, 小瑜; 黃, 鳳儀; 陳, 嘉洛; 彭, 焯煒 (2020-04-22). "【聶德權專訪】談「林鄭愛將」感受 被問有望升官傳聞如此回應…". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  40. "香港示威以來首次高官大洗牌傳遞的三種信號" (in Traditional Chinese). BBC Chinese. 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  41. "Interpretation of principle of political neutrality of civil service". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  42. 鄭, 寶生 (2020-04-21). "【拆局】消息:羅智光被撤涉修例風波 北京不滿處理公僕集會表現". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-09-01. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  43. "Hong Kong leader says cabinet revamp aimed at post-virus recovery". SCMP. 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-08-17. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  44. "Departure of SCS". info.gov.hk. 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30.
  45. "四局長發離任聲明 楊偉雄稱尊重林鄭決定、無怨無悔 羅智光隻字不提特首". Stand News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  46. "Secretary for Home Affairs to leave post". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  47. "Departure of S for IT". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  48. "Departure statement by Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury". www.info.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 2022-01-18.
  49. "港人眼中釘鄭若驊、李家超留低". Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  50. "POP releases popularity figures of CE and principal officials" (PDF). HKPORI. 2020-05-13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-01-19.
  51. 周, 禮希 (2020-05-13). "香港民研:特首評分連續5次微升惟支持率跌 新局長民望全負評". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2021-11-06. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  52. "掌公僕事務違問責制". Apple Daily (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  53. "首名非在任公僕出掌公務員事務局 聶德權:符合問責制精神原意" (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Oriental Daily. 2020-04-23. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  54. "非公務員獲委公務員局長 政府:符政治委任制精神 被問整頓公僕 林鄭:聶德權沒政治任務". Ming Pao (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-04-23. Archived from the original on 2020-05-04. Retrieved 2020-10-27.
  55. 林, 劍 (2020-04-21). "回顧曾國衞上位之路 首名非政務官掌政制局 辦公室放習近平肖像". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  56. "中央高調介入後香港政壇大換班習近平"信徒"陞官". RFI (in Traditional Chinese). 2020-04-22. Archived from the original on 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  57. "曾國衛辦公室放習近平肖像 被視未來政務司長熱門人選". Apple Daily (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 2020-04-21. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  58. 黃, 鳳儀 (2020-10-10). "公務員宣誓 聶德權:擁護效忠天經地義 難想像僱員與老闆對著幹". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  59. "曾國衞:民主派初選或違國安法 戴耀廷:無可能違法 大律師指市民投票違法風險不大". Citizen News (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). 2020-07-09. Archived from the original on 2020-08-07. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.