Cabinet team of new HK leader named

Hong Kong Chief Executive-designate John Lee attends a news conference with his newly appointed cabinet, including incoming Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki and incoming Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok in Hong Kong, China, June 19, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

HONG KONG: China unveiled a list of Hong Kong government officials in the new administration of incoming leader John Lee, set to be sworn in on July 1, when the Chinese-ruled financial hub marks the 25th anniversary of its handover from Britain.

Lists from Xinhua and the Hong Kong government showed finance secretary Paul Chan retains his post, while Paul Lam replaces Teresa Cheng as justice secretary, and Eric Chan becomes the new chief secretary, or No. 2 official.

The 64-year-old former chief secretary said they were experienced and knowledgeable in their field.

Some Hong Kong media have said President Xi Jinping is expected to attend Lee’s swearing-in ceremony in Hong Kong, but it was not confirmed whether any senior mainland leaders would attend.

A British colony until 1997, Hong Kong is on high alert as Covid-19 infections have risen to more than 1,000 recently, although there is no sign yet of tighter curbs ahead of the swearing-in. Its measures still rank among the toughest, with at least a week’s hotel quarantine for overseas visitors and mandatory daily testing for tens of thousands of people. — Reuters