The head of Hong Kong’s Public Service has announced that some top jobs may be filled through external recruitment in an effort to resolve promotion bottlenecks and attract new talent.
However, Patrick Nip Tak-kuen told a Legislative Council meeting that Beijing’s principle of ‘patriots’ running Hong Kong would be continued.
“As Hong Kong has entered a new era, Civil Servants must also embrace the spirit of patriots administering Hong Kong,” Mr Nip (pictured) said, referring to the enactment of the National Security Law in 2020 and last year’s overhaul of the electoral system.
“After consultation, we have decided that while the majority of Directorate posts will continue to be filled via internal promotion, we will open up recruitment for some posts that require professional skills, or positions which have encountered succession difficulties,” he said.
Outgoing leader, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said she had asked Mr Nip to review the existing selection and appointment mechanism for senior Public Service posts “with a view to appointing the most visionary and competent officers to the most suitable positions”.
Chief Executive-elect, John Lee Ka-chiu also pledged in his election manifesto to strengthen Hong Kong’s “governance capability” and establish a loyal, efficient and down-to-earth administration.
Mr Lee’s proposed changes include the creation of a new system of rewards and punishments to encourage problem-solving attitudes among Government employees.
The Public Service is currently seeking to recruit more staff after 2,809 Government employees resigned from April to December 2021, compared to 1,863 over the period of April 2020 to March 2021.
Hong Kong, 18 May 2022
