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Erick Tsang Kwok-wai

The latest news and top stories on Erick Tsang Kwok-wai. He has served as a high-ranking official in the Hong Kong government since 2020, overseeing constitutional and mainland affairs. With over three decades in public service, including a significant tenure as Director of Immigration from 2016, he has been instrumental in promoting Hong Kong’s integration into national development, particularly within the Greater Bay Area. His responsibilities include fostering international exchanges and upholding the ’one country, two systems’ principle. He has also defended proposals on same-sex relationships, stressing respect for court decisions.

Former permanent secretary for the environment Janice Tse has replaced Erick Tsang as Hong Kong’s constitutional and mainland affairs minister. Photo:
Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

New constitutional affairs chief Janice Tse to lead Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan

Former environment permanent secretary appointed to post after city leader John Lee nominated her, citing Tse’s 38 years in government.

30 Mar 2026 - 9:53PM

SCMP Highlights

China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks scandal, tourist drought in Japan: 7 highlights

30 Jan 2026 - 2:15PM

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

John Lee weighs ‘all options’ amid feedback from flat owners hit by Tai Po fire

27 Jan 2026 - 9:55PM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong minister Erick Tsang resigns, reveals prostate cancer fears

City leader John Lee dismisses speculation about more principal official departures, says his cabinet ‘shares his philosophy’ and has met expectations.

27 Jan 2026 - 8:57PM

Chief Executive John Lee (left) and Erick Tsang. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

No Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle until Tai Po blaze probe wraps up: sources

Speculation is swirling that two ministers are leaving their cabinet appointments.

22 Jan 2026 - 9:38PM

Jimmy Lai trial

Hong Kong slams attempts to ‘smear’ government ahead of Jimmy Lai mitigation

Conviction of former media boss shows that any plots to undermine national security will fail, constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says.

10 Jan 2026 - 9:12PMvideocam

Legislative Council election 2025

Deadly Tai Po blaze affected Hong Kong Legco election voter turnout: minister

Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says city’s worst fire in decades ‘dampened enthusiasm’, leading to second-lowest rate since 1997.

21 Dec 2025 - 9:26PM

Hong Kong’s Legco election turnout rose slightly from 2021, but officials say the deadly fire in Tai Po impacted the public’s will to vote. Photo: Sam Tsang

Legislative Council election 2025

Record tally of spoiled votes in Hong Kong poll ‘not due to pressure on public’

Authorities may reconsider introducing ‘smart ballot boxes’ to cut chance of voters wrongly marking papers, constitutional affairs chief says.

13 Dec 2025 - 6:06PM

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Hong Kong’s Legco election should prioritise substance over spectacle

Preventing voter apathy means ensuring that the issues take centre stage and candidates are able to communicate their visions.

18 Nov 2025 - 9:32AM

Hong Kong politics

First Hong Kong Legco poll forums zoom in on livelihood issues

Candidates stick to their agendas and mostly refrain from direct questioning in first government-held forums.

12 Nov 2025 - 12:45AM

(From left) Lo Yuen-ting, Kwok Fu-yung, Joephy Chan, Marcella Cheung and Mok Yee-ki. Photo: Karma Lo

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Can Legco veterans’ exit really invigorate Hong Kong politics?

If the departure of all lawmakers over 70 years old is intended to make way for new blood, it remains to be seen how, without name recognition, new candidates can ensure a good voter turnout.

26 Oct 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Lawmakers gather for photos with outgoing Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen after the end-of-term final meeting in the Legco chamber on October 23. Photo: Nora Tam

Legislative Council election 2025

Hong Kong to begin nomination period for legislative election on October 24

Nomination window will run for two weeks for December 7 poll, which will be second held under Beijing’s ‘patriots-only’ electoral reform.

13 Oct 2025 - 4:23PM

Hong Kong society

My Take | Government must go back to drawing board on rights of same-sex couples

Vote by lawmakers is far from the end of the matter, which will not go away and only lead to more legal challenges in an international city that presents itself as inclusive, vibrant and diverse.

13 Sep 2025 - 11:00PM

Hong Kong politics

‘Urgent matter’ stopped me voting on same-sex rights bill: Hong Kong’s Stanley Ng

Ng was the only lawmaker also sitting on Executive Council who failed to attend vote for Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill.

12 Sep 2025 - 9:20AMvideocam

Last month, the lawmaker (pictured) apologised to the city’s constitutional affairs minister after slamming his “annoying” attempts to gather support for the bill. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker apologises to minister after dispute over same-sex bill

Executive Council member Stanley Ng tries to make peace after criticising constitutional and mainland affairs chief Erick Tsang.

1 Aug 2025 - 6:40PM

Hong Kong lawmakers have scrutinised the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill, which seeks to establish a framework for the recognition of such partnerships. Photo: Sam Tsang

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong authorities have ‘ongoing legal duty’ to fulfil same-sex couples ruling

Government earlier proposed legislation related to same-sex couples in response to 2023 court ruling, but faces strong Legco opposition.

23 Jul 2025 - 7:52PM

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong Legco poll to debut use of electronic vote counting for trade seats

Lawmakers call for greater use of technology to make casting ballots more convenient and improve turnout.

21 Jul 2025 - 9:32PM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s Eric Tsang, Kenny Bee cut ties with rapper after group photo

Pair say photo taken ‘out of courtesy’ after backlash for ties with singer-songwriter known for critical stance on mainland authorities.

22 Jul 2025 - 1:07AM

Hong Kong celebrities Eric Tsang (second left) and Kenny Bee (right) issued clarifications after Malaysian hip-hop singer Namewee posted a picture of the group. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong lawmakers urged to be impartial when reviewing same-sex partnership bill says

Basic Law defines marriage rights as exclusive to heterosexual couples, constitutional affairs minister Erick Tsang says.

17 Jul 2025 - 1:54PM

Hong Kong society

Opinion | Same-sex recognition attests to Hong Kong’s rule of law and vitality

Move to grant same-sex couples rights upholds court ruling and reflects a city cognisant of the right to disagree respectfully.

15 Jul 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Hong Kong society

My Take | Hong Kong will benefit from recognising the rights of same-sex couples

While there is need for thorough debate on the proposal, some legislators appear to want to roll back the top court’s ruling. But that ship has sailed.

5 Jul 2025 - 9:00PM

A member of the LGBTQ community holds a rainbow flag while taking part in a pride parade in Bangkok. Photo: AFP

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Erick Tsang Kwok-wai

New constitutional affairs chief Janice Tse to lead Hong Kong’s first 5-year plan

Former environment permanent secretary appointed to post after city leader John Lee nominated her, citing Tse’s 38 years in government.

China’s ‘gold fever’ sparks scandal, tourist drought in Japan: 7 highlights

John Lee weighs ‘all options’ amid feedback from flat owners hit by Tai Po fire

Hong Kong minister Erick Tsang resigns, reveals prostate cancer fears

City leader John Lee dismisses speculation about more principal official departures, says his cabinet ‘shares his philosophy’ and has met expectations.

No Hong Kong cabinet reshuffle until Tai Po blaze probe wraps up: sources

Speculation is swirling that two ministers are leaving their cabinet appointments.

Hong Kong slams attempts to ‘smear’ government ahead of Jimmy Lai mitigation

Conviction of former media boss shows that any plots to undermine national security will fail, constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says.

Deadly Tai Po blaze affected Hong Kong Legco election voter turnout: minister

Constitutional affairs chief Erick Tsang says city’s worst fire in decades ‘dampened enthusiasm’, leading to second-lowest rate since 1997.

Record tally of spoiled votes in Hong Kong poll ‘not due to pressure on public’

Authorities may reconsider introducing ‘smart ballot boxes’ to cut chance of voters wrongly marking papers, constitutional affairs chief says.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Hong Kong’s Legco election should prioritise substance over spectacle

Preventing voter apathy means ensuring that the issues take centre stage and candidates are able to communicate their visions.

First Hong Kong Legco poll forums zoom in on livelihood issues

Candidates stick to their agendas and mostly refrain from direct questioning in first government-held forums.

Opinion | Can Legco veterans’ exit really invigorate Hong Kong politics?

If the departure of all lawmakers over 70 years old is intended to make way for new blood, it remains to be seen how, without name recognition, new candidates can ensure a good voter turnout.

Hong Kong to begin nomination period for legislative election on October 24

Nomination window will run for two weeks for December 7 poll, which will be second held under Beijing’s ‘patriots-only’ electoral reform.

My Take | Government must go back to drawing board on rights of same-sex couples

Vote by lawmakers is far from the end of the matter, which will not go away and only lead to more legal challenges in an international city that presents itself as inclusive, vibrant and diverse.

‘Urgent matter’ stopped me voting on same-sex rights bill: Hong Kong’s Stanley Ng

Ng was the only lawmaker also sitting on Executive Council who failed to attend vote for Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill.

Hong Kong lawmaker apologises to minister after dispute over same-sex bill

Executive Council member Stanley Ng tries to make peace after criticising constitutional and mainland affairs chief Erick Tsang.

Hong Kong authorities have ‘ongoing legal duty’ to fulfil same-sex couples ruling

Government earlier proposed legislation related to same-sex couples in response to 2023 court ruling, but faces strong Legco opposition.

Hong Kong Legco poll to debut use of electronic vote counting for trade seats

Lawmakers call for greater use of technology to make casting ballots more convenient and improve turnout.

Hong Kong’s Eric Tsang, Kenny Bee cut ties with rapper after group photo

Pair say photo taken ‘out of courtesy’ after backlash for ties with singer-songwriter known for critical stance on mainland authorities.

Hong Kong lawmakers urged to be impartial when reviewing same-sex partnership bill says

Basic Law defines marriage rights as exclusive to heterosexual couples, constitutional affairs minister Erick Tsang says.

Opinion | Same-sex recognition attests to Hong Kong’s rule of law and vitality

Move to grant same-sex couples rights upholds court ruling and reflects a city cognisant of the right to disagree respectfully.

My Take | Hong Kong will benefit from recognising the rights of same-sex couples

While there is need for thorough debate on the proposal, some legislators appear to want to roll back the top court’s ruling. But that ship has sailed.

Opinion | Hong Kong’s Legco election should prioritise substance over spectacle