Carrie Lam welcomes Wan Chai office switch

Ayra Wang

Former Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor welcomed the arrangement to move her office from One Pacific Place at Admiralty to the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai, as it could save costs.

This came as Lam's current office rental of HK$5.7 million a year at the prime commercial building sparked a debate over the use of public funds.

The Office of Former Chief Executives of the HKSAR said yesterday that Lam's office will be relocated to the 23rd floor of the Immigration Tower in Wan Chai.

"Mrs Lam welcomes the relocation, which allows her to continue her work as the former chief executive while saving the rental expenses," the office spokesman said, adding that it will be available for a minimum of three years.

"Mrs Lam will move into the new office in Immigration Tower after essential renovation works are completed, which we expect to be earlier than the expiry of the current lease of Pacific Place in May 2025."

In 2017, Lam announced the demolition of the Immigration Tower and two government buildings in Wan Chai for redevelopment to facilitate conferences, hotel and commercial use. The Immigration Department now has its offices in Tseung Kwan O.

The administration had rented a unit in Pacific Place as Lam's office after she stepped down in 2022 due to insufficient space in the former chief executive's office in Central, which can only accommodate three officials.

Lam's current office cost taxpayers more than HK$9.17 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year, including HK$5.67 million in rent.

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun urged the administration to provide offices for the last three former chief executives to save costs.

In his Facebook post, Tien criticized the relocation of Lam's office as a "short-sighted" move.

"What happens when the Immigration Tower is no longer available? Will the government spend public funds on relocating the office again?" he asked.

Tien expressed concerns that the administration would postpone the redevelopment plans, as Lam's office will occupy a unit for at least three years.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com