One year on, who in Carrie Lam’s cabinet fails to make the grade?

As we approach the first anniversary of her cabinet’s appointment, it is time to assess the performance of the ministers selected by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung is the eldest of the “big three” at 66. He has had a reasonable year in that no obvious clangers have been dropped and he has the priceless quality of not posing a threat to his boss. Although his appointment was initially viewed as an interim solution, he could smile his amiable way through for a while longer.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po was clearly not Lam’s first choice, as the names of several other options were leaked to the media at the time. At one point, he looked a possible candidate for the early chop, but having succeeded in securing passage of the first budget of this administration without the filibustering that had become the norm in recent years, his position looks a bit more secure.

Justice Chief Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah got off to poor start in January when she finally replaced reluctant holdover Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung. The controversy over unauthorised building structures at her properties was still swirling when it emerged that the multi-property owner had somehow qualified as a “first-time buyer” for the purposes of stamp duty.

Turning to the more junior ministers, there are some bright spots. Health Secretary Sophia Chan Siu-chee always comes across as a quietly competent professional. Commerce Secretary Edward Yau Tang-wah finally seems to have found a post where he can deliver.

Things are bubbling in Financial Services and the Treasury, so eldest cabinet member James Lau should be entitled to claim some of the credit. Of the younger members, Development Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun has put forward a bold revamp of clearance compensation and cabinet “baby” Patrick Nip Tak-kuen seems to be growing in the job of secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs.