Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam fills two government vacancies with members of pro-Beijing political parties

Hong Kong’s chief executive has filled two government vacancies with members of pro-Beijing political parties, following a top-level cabinet reshuffle last month.

Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Ho Kai-ming, 35, will take on the post of undersecretary for labour and welfare, while Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) member Julian Ip Chun-lim, 28, was appointed political assistant to the treasury minister.

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“Both of them will assume office on June 1,” a government spokesman said.

In Facebook post, Ho said he would quit his post as labour sector lawmaker.

Labour rights had improved during his term as a legislator, Ho wrote, noting the government’s plan to increase statutory holidays for workers to 17 days and the implementation of five-day paternity leave.

“Of course, the labour environment today is completely different from four years ago, workers are more concerned with job security and economic revival,” Ho said. “I will bring these civilian voices into government.”

Last month, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor announced that new ministers would be appointed to take over bureaus covering technology, financial services, home affairs, mainland affairs and the civil service.

Lam said the reshuffle was required to rebuild the city after the coronavirus pandemic.

Ho fills the seat left empty by Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, also a DAB member, who was promoted to secretary for home affairs.

The government said Ho had “ample experience” in dealing with labour matters and had a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Hong Kong.

Last year, Ho lost his seat on the Kwun Tong district council, which he had occupied for eight years, to a rival from the opposition camp.

In the Legislative Council, Ho advocated for increasing maternity leave for employees.

Ip was a senior manager of OneConnect Financial Technology, an associate of Chinese insurance company Ping An Group, before joining the government.

He was also assistant vice-president of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited in 2018.

Chinese University political scientist Ma Ngok said it might be difficult for the government to persuade non-partisan individuals with expertise to take up official posts, given its low popularity.

“For now, most people with good standing will not join the [Carrie Lam] government,” Ma said.

Ma also felt that the government was “finding a place” for pro-establishment lawmakers like Ho, who might not be re-elected in September’s Legco elections.

In last year’s district council elections, Hong Kong’s opposition camp won more than 80 per cent of the 452 seats, riding on the momentum of the anti-government protests sparked by the now-withdrawn extradition bill.