Hong Kong tourism and transport chiefs set record for shortest time at top before being sacked
Firings bring the number of ministers who have been sacked to eight over course of five administrations since city’s handover in 1997
Hong Kong’s tourism and transport ministers have set the record for briefest stints at the top before being fired, with their sackings coming less than 2½ years since taking office.
The firings take to eight the number of ministers who have been sacked from their roles over the course of five administrations since the city’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
On Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Director of Housing Rosanna Law Shuk-pui would take over from Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, while Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan would succeed Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung.
Asked whether other officials were at risk of being replaced, Lee said he was now “pleased with the team” following the addition of the two new members.
“I’m very confident after the two new ministers have joined the team, which now meets my expectations,” he said. “We will work closely together in unity, produce the best results of governance and serve the best interests of Hong Kong.”
The previous high-profile reshuffle of a cabinet member came in June 2021, when Lee’s predecessor, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor removed Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung about one year before the end of the administration’s term.
