New Chief Secretary is confident about his role

The newly-appointed Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu said he is capable of handling the new position, citing his 44 years of experience working in the government.

“I think I can do that well because I have 44 years of experience in the government, and when I make policies I don't just consider the pros, I take exceptions to the cons, the cons usually are what members of the public are concerned with, ” Lee addressed the media for the first time after his promotion for the second highest position in the government.

“I have strengths which I think the Chief Executive considers will assist her to achieve what she wants to do in her governance in this year,” he said, adding that he had obtained a master degree in public policies and management.

The minister's speech came after concerns were raised about his lack of experience in other policy bureaus and his background as a police officer before he joined the administration.

The new chief secretary said his current job is to assist the Chief Executive to combat the pandemic. He will also coordinate and ensure that proposed policies meet government objectives.

"The making of policies, of course, the responsibility rests on the secretary concerned, but as the Chief Secretary of course, I have the overall duty of co-ordinating, mobilising, and also ensuring that the policy meets the objectives of the government." he said.

Lee added that national security is the government’s responsibility and top priority, and any officers should have the responsibility in promoting national security.

Chris Tang Ping-keung, who took over as the secretary for security in the reshuffle, said the Article 23 of the Basic Law would be one of his top priorities.

"It's something we must do according to the constitution and must carry out as soon as possible," he said.

But Tang said the legislation work of Article 23 might not be completed within this year.

He added that people should not judge officials’ backgrounds as this would not affect their work serving the SAR.

Article 23 of the Basic Law requires the Hong Kong government to enact their own laws to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, or subversion against the Central People's Government. It also prohibits foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, or establish ties with local political organizations or bodies.

Introduced in 2003, the Article 23 bill was later withdrawn after half a million people took to the streets.