Hong Kong Home Affairs Bureau senior official steps down, citing family time

Jade Lai, political assistant to home affairs chief Caspar Tsui since 2017, is the second top political appointee to leave since Carrie Lam took office

She was among the initial group of city officials to take an oath pledging allegiance to Hong Kong as laid out in the national security law

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Jade Lai, political assistant to the secretary for home affairs, is expected to move to Singapore after resigning to spend time with her family. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 1:55pm, 15 Jan 2021Updated: 10:45pm, 15 Jan 2021

A senior Hong Kong home affairs official has resigned citing family reasons, becoming the second top political appointee to leave since city leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor took office in July 2017.

In a statement issued on Friday, the government confirmed that Jade Lai Wing-yu, political assistant to the secretary for home affairs, had tendered her resignation “due to her need to take care of her family”.

“She is currently on leave and will leave the government effective January 20. The secretary for home affairs, Mr Caspar Tsui, thanks Ms Lai for her contribution during her tenure and wishes her a happy life,” the spokesman added.

In a message on her Facebook page on Friday, Lai indicated a move to Singapore was likely in the works.

Jade Lai had served as political assistant to Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui (left) since shortly after Carrie Lam took office in 2017. Photo: Winson Wong

“Home is where the heart is … My friends know that my husband is a native of Singapore. He lived in Hong Kong for many years because of me, and has now returned to Singapore,” she wrote.