Missing faces a symbolic end to Lam era

Despite falling short of a formal announcement, the new governing team under incoming Chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu has largely been made public.

One of the major highlights must be the disappearance of current Civil Service Secretary Patrick Nip Tak-kuen.

He will be leaving along with his boss, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Nip's imminent departure might surprise some since it had been rumored for some time that, instead of having to leave, he might be given a chance to take over from Law Chi-kwong to oversee labor and welfare matters - a portfolio lower in profile than those he had been in charge of before.

Even if he had succeeded Law, it would still have been a setback for someone once touted as Lam's most trusted general and her candidate for the chief secretary office.

Nip's imminent departure is symbolic of the end of the Lam era.

Of all the principal officials under Lam, only four have been allowed to stay, namely: Secretary of Security Chris Tang Ping-keung; Secretary of Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; Secretary of Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu; and Secretary of Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung.

Yeung will reportedly be given a new role to head a newly created policy bureau overseeing culture, sports and tourism.

If the list - which has gone viral in political circles - turns out to be accurate, it will be a clear sign of Beijing's determination to cleanse the administration of Lam's legacy, giving Lee a fresh start to make the second half of the transition truly a "handover 2.0".

From July 1, there will be a few more policy ministers, including several permanent secretaries leaving the civil service establishment to join the politically accountable team.

For one, Nip will hand over the civil service bureau to his civil service permanent civil service secretary Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, in a move that is generally viewed as a promotion for the female administrative officer.

Also noticeable is the relative abundance of external recruits.

For instance, Greater Bay Airlines chief executive Algernon Yau Ying-wah will replace Edward Yau Tang-wah as commerce and economic development secretary.

It is never a bad idea to bring outside talent to the top ruling team. Their expertise in the private sector will offer insights that the civil service does not possess.

Having said that, a question remains that begs an answer: had Lam not been such a controversial person - even to her political allies in the so-called "blue" pro-establishment camp - would those she trusted most have been allowed to stay on?

There is no secret that the new team faces a sophisticated international situation involving geopolitical confrontations that may spill over to affect Hong Kong.

The individuals reportedly assembled by Lee are mostly considered to be practical. As for politicians like Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan and Alice Mak Mei-kuen, they are being given roles in what is viewed by some as political rewards.

Whether it's a reward or otherwise, the moment of truth will arrive sooner than expected for Lee to prove his team is, indeed, a dream team.