EditorialNew constitutional affairs chief faces daunting but essential first mission
Janice Tse’s return to lead Hong Kong’s first five-year plan reflects confidence in the professionalism and skills of seasoned bureaucrats
Tse was picked because of her rich administrative experience across the government machinery. The former permanent secretary for the environment is “the best candidate among all as she has a solid foundation in working and communicating with the civil servants, and the network she established with the Legislative Council will be good for pressing ahead with the five-year plan,” Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said.
Succeeding Erick Tsang Kwok-wai after he stepped down in late January for health reasons, Tse must make good use of her time before her tenure finishes on June 30 next year. The time frame for the five-year plan is even tighter, with the blueprint scheduled for release by the end of the year under a collaboration mechanism with the legislature. Despite the broad range of policy portfolios during her 38 years of public service, Tse may have relatively less experience in mainland and cross-border affairs. But she said she had experience working with mainland authorities and believed her rich experience and connections would help her deliver the blueprint on time.
The choice of a retired civil servant for the top post does not signal a shortage of political talent. The civil service and political appointees form two distinct systems that serve complementary purposes in governance. Tse’s return reflects confidence in the professionalism, institutional continuity and coordination skills that seasoned bureaucrats bring to complex assignments. However, the ministerial tier also demands political acumen and sensitivity, making the task of producing deliverable goals under a coordinated and strategic development plan all the more crucial.
The launch of Hong Kong’s inaugural five-year plan marks a turning point in the city’s governance under the national development framework. It is moving from the broad direction of integration and cooperation to formulating a structured plan with clear objectives, concrete initiatives and measurable success. Beijing’s latest national five-year blueprint, which emphasises tech innovation, green development and high-quality growth, demands a more articulate response about how the city can fit into the new paradigm and contribute more substantively to the process.