New Hong Kong ministers vow to seek consensus over their work plans
Civil service secretary insists that political neutrality of government staff must be maintained despite comments by Beijing parliamentary leader
The principal officials of the new administration pledged to forge consensus and safeguard the political neutrality of civil servants on their first day in office.
Mapping out their working plans in separate interviews with RTHK, the newly appointed principal officials vowed to work hard in serving the public.
“I will listen and accept different opinions and resolve disputes through consensus,” said Edward Yau Tang-wah, who moved from director of the Chief Executive’s Office in the last administration to secretary for commerce and economic development. He added he would serve with a humble heart.
Watch: Carrie Lam begins her five-year term
Secretary for the Civil Service Joshua Law Chi-kong , a veteran civil servant, said his priority would be to safeguard the core values of civil servants, including political neutrality, the rule of law, cleanness and professionalism.
Some new officials touched on their work plans. “I hope to provide safe, hygienic and dignified housing for the grass roots in the next five years. We will speed up the provision of public rental housing for needy people and reinstate the housing ladder,” transport and housing minister Frank Chan Fan said.
New development chief Michael Wong Wai-lun said his bureau would work hard to increase land supply, ensuring sustainable development with better city planning.
Lam has pledged to launch a new style of governance and rebuild social harmony through her cabinet, which is mostly made up of incumbents and veteran bureaucrats.
Among the new ministers, all but one were incumbents, deputies or permanent secretaries.
The chief executive initially wanted to recruit new blood for her administration.
