John Lee sets tone for incoming Hong Kong administration by pushing for new deputy ministers, pundits say, but he still needed Beijing’s approval
- John Lee will become first leader since handover to establish deputy minister posts, with ones for chief secretary, financial secretary and secretary for justice
- With the move, he is indicating his administration will rely on teamwork, analysts say, but one warns success will depend on chemistry between deputies and bosses
While the city’s mini-constitution has always given the leader the power to introduce new deputy secretary roles, only one chief executive, Leung Chun-ying, has attempted it, and his plan was scuttled by filibustering opposition lawmakers.
But with the overhauled Legislative Council now stacked with pro-establishment members, Lee is almost certain to succeed where Leung failed and establish deputies for the chief secretary, financial secretary and secretary for justice. Pro-Beijing political pundits characterised Lee’s move as an indication the former policeman was hoping to show his administration would rely on teamwork rather than individual leadership.
“I believe he is more of a team kind of chief executive,” said Maria Tam Wai-chu, vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee, which advises Beijing on Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
04:05
Hong Kong’s Election Committee picks John Lee as city’s next chief executive in one-man race
Political commentator Lau Siu-kai, vice-chairman of Beijing’s semi-official think tank, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, contrasted the different leadership styles of Lee and Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.