Rule of law guiding light of justice boss

The next secretary for justice, Paul Lam Ting-kwok, says he will firmly defend the rule of law and safeguard national security so one country, two systems can be sustained.

Senior counsel Lam - one of two newly appointed top secretaries alongside the next chief secretary for administration, Eric Chan Kwok-ki - said he only looks at the law, evidence and relevant guidelines when considering whether to prosecute a person.

Lam, 54, was responding to a question on whether prosecution numbers under the national security law will become a "key performance indicator" for him and his deputy, Horace Cheung Kwok-kwan.

"Safeguarding national security is a basic responsibility that we must uphold under the Constitutional Law and the Basic Law - a prerequisite for one country, two systems to last for a long time," Lam said.

Asked about his comments six years ago that co-location arrangement in the West Kowloon express rail station could be against the Basic Law, he said looking back at the past five years "it's proven that not only is the arrangement legal, but it also suits Hong Kong's interests the best."

Lam, a former Bar Association chairman, refused to comment on the Tiananmen crackdown on June 4, 1989.

Lawmaker-turned-minister Cheung, 47, said he will use his experience in the Legislative Council when engaging with stakeholders and the public to promote Hong Kong's legal system to overseas and mainland counterparts.

New No 2 official Chan, 63, vowed to help Lee "condense power from all sides" and coordinate bureaus to implement policies to improve people's livelihood.

Incoming secretary for health Lo Chung-mau, 61, said authorities need to collect more Covid data before deciding the next step of health measures, including a possible territory-wide test.

On border reopening, Lo said: "Resuming quarantine-free travel with [other countries] and the mainland is an issue involving livelihood, economy and family lives. We have to [thoroughly study] it."

New secretary for home and youth affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen, 51, said youth development will be a focus of the next administration and she wants to "give hope to the young."

On her popularity among youngsters, Mak said she is good at communicating with the public.

Incoming secretary for innovation, technology and industry Sun Dong, 50, who is a biochemical engineering lecturer at City University, spoke in Putonghua at the news conference. But he said he will try to speak in Cantonese more.

Retired permanent secretary for the IT Bureau, Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the new deputy chief secretary for administration while the former permanent secretary for development Lam Sai-hung will be the secretary for transport and logistics.

Two undersecretaries - environment's Tse Chin-wan and education's Christine Choi Yuk-lin - will head their respective bureaus. Four senior civil servants will be promoted. Permanent secretary for development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho will head the bureau while permanent secretary for the civil service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan will head the Civil Service Bureau.

Director of architecture Winnie Ho Wing-yin will become secretary for housing while labor director Chris Sun Yuk-han will head the Labour and Welfare Bureau. Apart from Eric Chan and Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, five incumbent officials will transition to Lee's administration.

Secretary for Development Michael Wong Wai-lun will be promoted to deputy financial secretary while Secretary for Education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung will head the new Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu will keep their posts. Beijing appointed retired correctional services commissioner Woo Ying-ming to head the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

jane.cheung@singtaonewscorp.com