Government announces appointment and removal of Principal Officials
25.6.2021

The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, announced today (June 25) that the Central People's Government, upon her nomination and recommendation in accordance with Article 48(5) of the Basic Law, approved the appointment of Mr John Lee Ka-chiu as the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Tang Ping-keung as the Secretary for Security and Mr Siu Chak-yee as the Commissioner of Police as well as the removal of Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung from the post of Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Lee from the post of Secretary for Security and Mr Tang from the post of Commissioner of Police. "Mr Cheung has served Hong Kong and the Government with integrity and dedication for almost five decades. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Cheung for his valuable contribution to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and I wish him all the best after leaving government service," the Chief Executive said. On the appointment of Mr Lee, Mr Tang and Mr Siu, the Chief Executive said, "They have had distinguished performance in the Government over the years and possess proven leadership skills. I am confident that they are competent for their new posts and would rise to the challenges in serving the community." Following are the biographical notes on Mr Cheung, Mr Lee, Mr Tang and Mr Siu: Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung ------------------------------ Aged 70. Mr Cheung has been Chief Secretary for Administration since January 2017. He joined the Hong Kong Government as an Information Officer in July 1972. He transferred to the Administrative Service in September 1979 and was promoted to Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in September 2004. He has served in various policy bureaux and departments, including the former Finance Branch, the Home Affairs Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Government House, the former Industry Department, the former Trade Department, the Financial Secretary's Office, the Judiciary and the Central Policy Unit. He became Commissioner for Labour in January 1999, Director of Education in June 2000 and Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour in July 2002. He was Secretary for Labour and Welfare from July 2007 to January 2017. Mr John Lee Ka-chiu -------------------------- Aged 63. Mr Lee has been Secretary for Security since July 2017. He joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 1977 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent in July 1997, Assistant Commissioner in May 2003, Senior Assistant Commissioner in January 2007 and Deputy Commissioner in September 2010. He has held a variety of posts including Assistant Commissioner (Crime) and Director of Crime and Security, and Deputy Commissioner (Management). He was appointed as Under Secretary for Security in September 2012. Mr Tang Ping-keung ------------------------- Aged 55. Mr Tang has been the Commissioner of Police since November 2019. He joined the Hong Kong Police Force in June 1987 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police in 2012, Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2015, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2017 and Deputy Commissioner of Police in November 2018. Mr Siu Chak-yee --------------------- Aged 55. Mr Siu has been Deputy Commissioner of Police since November 2019. He joined the Hong Kong Police Force in December 1988 as a Probationary Inspector. He was promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police in 2013, Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2017 and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2018. Ends/Friday, June 25, 2021 Issued at HKT 12:27 NNNN