Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle: new No 2 official John Lee dismisses concerns over policy experience, cites superior grasp of government work

Former security minister points to cross-departmental work and coordination of tasks during 2019 social unrest, as well as master’s degree in public policy and administration

Lee also says he will ‘make use of every opportunity to enhance the education of national security’

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Hong Kong No 2 official John Lee is confident he has the right abilities to excel in his new role as chief secretary. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 1:23pm, 26 Jun 2021Updated: 11:20pm, 26 Jun 2021

Hong Kong’s new deputy leader John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday dismissed concerns he lacked policy experience, citing his cross-departmental work as a veteran security official and insisting he had a “much better” grasp of government operations than most colleagues.

Lee also vowed as chief secretary to “make use of every opportunity” to safeguard national security.

The former security minister replaced Matthew Cheung Kin-chung on Friday as the city’s No 2 official in the second major cabinet reshuffle of the current administration, but critics have questioned Lee’s credentials, voicing doubt over what they viewed as his limited experience for the new role.

China’s State Council also approved the move to allow police chief Chris Tang Ping-keung to take over Lee’s previous portfolio, with Tang’s deputy in the force Raymond Siu Chak-yee succeeding him.

(From left) Raymond Siu, the new police chief, new No 2 official John Lee, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and former police commissioner Chris Tang, now the security minister. Photo: Handout

On Saturday, the new chief secretary, 63, brushed off the criticism, pointing to his 44 years of government experience.

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