Editorial | Lee pins hopes on fresh blood at halfway point to bring deepening Hong Kong reform
Sacking of two ministers comes with Hong Kong on the road to recovery, but facing challenges at local, national and international level
The halfway mark of a government’s term often triggers a sense of need for renewal. There is still time for any ministerial reshuffle to make a difference to perceptions of its performance.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu chose this time to sack the ministers in charge of two pillars of the city’s economic growth, culture, sport and tourism, and transport and logistics. After the unexpected announcement of the firings from the central government, Lee made it clear he is confident of better results from the two women he has promoted to his governing team.
Lee said tourism chief Kevin Yeung Yun-hung and transport secretary Lam Sai-hung had been removed following consideration of what would make his team more effective. He needs people to help continue the city’s recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic and 2019 protests, and believes the new bureau chiefs support his policymaking direction and will accept greater responsibility.
Lee praised replacements Rosanna Law Shuk-pui and Mable Chan for their reform mindsets and ability to explain policies. These attributes go to the heart of accountability and were a central theme of Lee’s most recent policy address in October, in which he mentioned the word reform more than 30 times.
Moreover, he recently told an RTHK programme the time was ripe for the reform of various Hong Kong sectors, including the government. It is hard to dismiss a link with the sackings.
