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Promotions for Hong Kong law and order bosses, with security secretary John Lee tipped to become city’s No 2 official, police chief Chris Tang filling his role

  • Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, 70, could be retiring, sources say, with John Lee replacing him
  • Announcements are due to be made ‘very soon’, pending final approval by State Council

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Police Commissioner Chris Tang (left) and Secretary for Security John Lee. Photo: May Tse

Hong Kong’s law and order chiefs are getting promoted, with Secretary for Security John Lee Ka-chiu tipped to move up the ranks to be the city’s No 2 official while Commissioner of Police Chris Tang Ping-keung takes over his cabinet position, the Post has learned.

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Sources said the announcements were due to be made “very soon”, pending final approval by the State Council. Such senior appointments are made on the recommendation of the Hong Kong administration but require the endorsement of the central government.

Lee’s promotion would mark the first time since Hong Kong returned from British rule in 1997 that a former police and security official filled the position of chief secretary.

Both Lee, 63, and Tang, 55, are expected to travel alongside Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor when the city leader heads to Beijing next week to attend the Chinese Communist Party’s centenary celebrations in the capital on Thursday.

Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung. Photo: Jonathan Wong
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The promotions come almost one year after Hong Kong implemented the Beijing-imposed national security law, which was widely criticised as too draconian, and about 12 months before the five-year term of Lam’s administration is due to expire.

Sources also said Raymond Siu Chak-yee, deputy commissioner of police (operations), was tipped to be promoted to the force’s chief.

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