Founding Hong Kong Democratic Party member quits for position in Carrie Lam’s cabinet
Resignation precedes expected announcement that he will be the new labour minister
The party said in a statement on Tuesday night the 63-year-old former lawmaker had filed an application to withdraw from the party earlier in the day. The party’s central standing committee respected his decision and approved the application without delay.
“The Democratic Party is grateful to Law Chi-kwong’s selfless contribution to the party and the democratic movement,” the statement read.
We still hope that he can use his talents and continue to serve Hong Kong in the new position
“Now we will be pursuing our own paths with different positions and roles. We still hope that he can use his talents and continue to serve Hong Kong in the new position.”
Law served the party in several positions, including as vice-chairman and secretary general.
The University of Hong Kong social policy academic is considered a moderate among his colleagues and has served as an election strategist.
He is an ally of the future city leader, having served on several government advisory bodies, including the Commission on Poverty, when Lam was chief secretary, Hong Kong’s No 2 official.
While declining to comment on his future in April, Law told the Post he had recently obtained a 10-year home return permit to travel to mainland China and went there twice in late March.
Without the documents, visits to the mainland are not allowed except for one-off permission.
