Tsang expected to revive the post of council convenor
Veteran Executive Councillor Leung Chun-ying is expected to resume his seat as convenor of the top policymaking body after Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen appoints new faces to his cabinet as early as this week.
Sources close to the government said the chief executive would announce the restoration of the post of Exco convenor - part of his revamp of the Executive Council - when he presents his maiden policy address on Wednesday.
The title will be awarded to Mr Leung, who served in the post from 1999 to 2002. Mr Leung, who has been repeatedly tipped as a candidate for the post of chief executive, in March ruled himself out of the chief executive election in June.
The need for an Exco convenor resurfaces as the revamped Executive Council will include four new faces, taking the number of non-official members to 11.
An Exco convenor sometimes speaks on behalf of non-official members on issues of public concern. The post ranks higher than other non-official members in protocol ranking, but has no substantial power.