In a rare show of disagreement with the mainland Chinese Government, Hong Kong’s Public Service chief has thrown his support behind a recently promoted senior official attacked by Beijing-friendly media.
Vivian Lau Lee-kwan (pictured), appointed as the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health last month, found herself at the centre of a political storm after pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao (a paper known to reflect the views of the Chinese Government) ran a front-page article on her post.
The report questioned if Ms Lau, who was Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene in 2019, met the requirement of “patriots governing Hong Kong”, a principle described by Chinese President, Xi Jinping as a bottom line for ensuring the city’s stability.
The article accused Ms Lau’s Department of failing to efficiently clear up post-it notes with anti-Government messages, fixed to walls in public areas as the city was gripped by months-long social unrest in 2019.
However, Secretary for the Civil Service, Patrick Nip Tak-kuen said Ms Lau had been appointed according to “a set of existing mechanisms and established criteria for the promotion of Civil Servants”.
“I hope that we can base things on facts to try to improve the mechanism,” Mr Nip said.
“I believe this would be beneficial for the development of Hong Kong,” he said.
Citing the Civil Service Regulations, Mr Nip said Government workers’ character, competence and experience were considered before promotion recommendations were submitted to a selection board.
He dismissed doubts over Ms Lau’s patriotism, saying all Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments had sworn allegiance last year in accordance with the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.
Hong Kong, 3 March 2021
