John Lee Ka-chiu government
Administration of Hong Kong since 2022
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The administration of John Lee Ka-chiu as Chief Executive of Hong Kong, officially referred to as "The 6th term Chief Executive of Hong Kong", relates to the period of governance of Hong Kong headed by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, starting from 1 July 2022.
John Lee Ka-chiu Government | |
|---|---|
6th Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | |
 Lee with his cabinet on 19 June 2022 | |
| Date formed | 1 July 2022 |
| People and organisations | |
| Xi Jinping | |
Head of government | John Lee Ka-chiu |
| Li Keqiang Li Qiang | |
Member parties | DAB, FTU, BPA, NPP, LP |
Status in legislature | Pro-Beijing supermajority |
Opposition party | None |
| History | |
| Election | 2022 Chief Executive election |
| Legislature term | 7th Legislative Council |
| Predecessor | Lam government |
Background and election
With the legislating of the National Security Law constraining the pro-democracy movement and the opposition camp, there was virtually no opposition in Hong Kong.[1][2][3] Legislation were passed in the legislature without obstacle,[4] especially after 2021 election which saw electoral changes being implemented afterwards, affecting the composition of the Legislative Council.[5]
In the 2022 Chief Executive election, John Lee, promoted from Secretary for Security to Chief Secretary for Administration a year ago,[6] received the approval of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee[7] to stand in the election and was the sole candidate of the leadership race, backed by the pro-Beijing camp.[8] Receiving 99% of votes in the 1,461-member Election Committee, Lee was chosen as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong.[9]
Lee received the appointment from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on 30 May 2022.[10]
Cabinet
It was reported on 16 June 2022 that John Lee had decided on the members of his Executive Council.[11] The official list was announced on 19 June after the State Council[12] approved the nominations by Lee.[13] Four of the senior officials were under the United States sanctions after the imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong,[14] including Chief Secretary nominee Eric Chan, former Directior of Immigration. One-third of the cabinet ministers are from the civil service, although the two highest-ranking positions were occupied by former officers from Disciplined Services. Some believed the government will continue its focus on public and national security.[15]
The Legislative Council passed a government restructuring package on 15 June, adding new deputies to the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Secretary for Justice, as proposed by incoming Chief Executive John Lee. Two new bureaux were created, with some existing revamped to transfer responsibilities to the new departments.[16]
Ministry
Other posts
- Commissioner of Police: Raymond Siu (until April 2025), Joe Chow (since April 2025)
- Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption: Woo Ying-ming
- Director of Audit: Nelson Lam
- Director of Immigration: Au Ka-wang (until 2023), Benson Kwok (since 2023)
- Commissioner of Customs and Excise: Louise Ho (until 2024), Chan Tsz-tat (since 2024)
Executive Council non-official members
The new members of the Executive Council were announced on 22 June 2022.[17]
| Members | Affiliation | Portfolio | Assumed office | Left office | Born in | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regina Ip | NPP | Non-official Convenor of the ExCo Legislative Council Member & Chairlady of NPP |
1 July 2017 | Incumbent | 1950 | ||
| Arthur Li | Nonpartisan | Member of the Committee for the Basic Law of the HKSAR of the NPCSC | 1 July 2012 | Incumbent | 1945 | ||
| Jeffrey Lam | BPA | Legislative Council Member & Vice-Chairman of BPA | 17 October 2012 | Incumbent | 1951 | ||
| Tommy Cheung | Liberal | Legislative Council Member, Chairman of Liberal Party | 25 November 2016 | Incumbent | 1949 | ||
| Martin Liao | Nonpartisan | Legislative Council Member | 25 November 2016 | Incumbent | 1957 | ||
| Joseph Yam | Nonpartisan | Executive Vice President of the China Society for Finance and Banking | 1 July 2017 | Incumbent | 1948 | ||
| Ronny Tong | Path of Democracy | Senior Counsel & Convenor of Path of Democracy | 1 July 2017 | Incumbent | 1950 | ||
| Lam Ching-choi | Nonpartisan | Chairman of the Elderly Commission | 1 July 2017 | Incumbent | 1960 | ||
| Kenneth Lau | BPA | Legislative Council Member & Chairman of Heung Yee Kuk | 1 July 2017 | Incumbent | 1966 | ||
| Moses Cheng | Nonpartisan | Practicing solicitor Chairman of the Council of HSUHK |
1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1950 | ||
| Margaret Leung | Nonpartisan | Treasurer of HKU Former CEO of Hang Seng Bank Limited |
1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1952 | ||
| Chan Kin-por | Nonpartisan | Legislative Council Member | 1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1954 | ||
| Eliza Chan | Nonpartisan | Member of the National Committee of CPPCC | 1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1957 | ||
| Ko Wing-man | Nonpartisan | Former Secretary for Food and Health | 1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1957 | ||
| Ng Chau-pei | FTU | Legislative Council Member & President of FTU | 1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1970 | ||
| Gary Chan | DAB | Legislative Council Member & Vice-Chairman of DAB | 1 July 2022 | Incumbent | 1976 |
Reshuffles
December 2024
Lee reshuffled his cabinet on 5 December 2024, beginning with the dismissals of the secretaries for the culture and transport bureaux. Director of Housing Rosanna Law succeeded Kevin Yeung as the new Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, who was under fire in recent months over the push for "mega-event economy" and rebuilding Hong Kong’s post-pandemic tourism appeal, such as the Messi's Mess. Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung was replaced by Mable Chan, the permanent secretary of the bureau. Lee evaded questions on the reasons behind the reshuffle, but mentioned his wishes for "a team and secretaries that will be able to deliver what I have in mind" and to "create the best result in the shortest period of Hong Kong" after time was lost because of COVID and the 2019 "riots".[18] He also praised the two new secretaries for having "reform mindsets".[19]
While Yeung was embattled for some months, the reshuffle still came as a surprise.[20] Sources quoted by the media said the two ministers were only told of their dismissal a day before the announcement. It was later reported that Lee intended to fire the two ministers earlier that year for their "poor performance and inability to steer sectors seen as crucial to the city’s reputation and economic growth", and at once even considering sacking the environment minister Tse Chin-wan after the waste charging scheme failed. However, the leader held off the reshuffle to project a strong image of governance as the national security legislation was under way.[21] During a media interview over half a year later, Lee said his new administration supports his ideal, hinting that the reshuffle could be related to the duo's self-centred ego.[22]
Non-principal officials are italicised.
| Colour key |
|---|
|
| Minister | Party | Before reshuffle | After reshuffle | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) |
Rosanna Law Shuk-pui JP | Nonpartisan | Director of Housing | Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism | |
.jpg) |
Mable Chan JP | Nonpartisan | Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics | Secretary for Transport and Logistics | |
.jpg) |
Kevin Yeung Yun-hung JP | Nonpartisan | Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism | Left the government | |
.jpg) |
Lam Sai-hung GBS JP | Nonpartisan | Secretary for Transport and Logistics | Left the government | |
January 2026
Ming Pao published a front page report on 22 January 2026 that housing minister Winnie Ho and constitutional minister Erick Tsang could be leaving their positions "shortly". Other local reports indicated that the reshuffle could involve Development Secretary Bernadette Linn, another minister, and a deputy secretary. The shakeup could happen around Lunar New Year and before Two Sessions in China. The removals are believed to be unrelated with the Wang Fuk Court fire as John Lee reportedly told his ministers at morning prayer session that actions against officials would be taken after the independent review committee conducted the probe.[23]
State media announced on 27 January 2026 that Erick Tsang had been removed from the position of Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs. Tsang later confirmed that he had resigned earlier on health basis. Undersecretary Clement Woo was appointed as the acting minister. John Lee added that he has no further plans to replace other ministers, and that the rumours are not facts.
Notes
- The top position held by Xi Jinping is General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, thus the officeholder holds ultimate power and authority over party and state.