Following unveiling her team of politically appointed principal officials, in-coming Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor yesterday announced the membership of the Executive Council (Exco) from July 1. It is composed of 32 members, including the 16 principal officials and other 16 non-official members, which will collectively assist the CE in policy-making and governance in accordance with the law.
According to the Basic Law, the Exco is an organ for assisting the CE in policy-making, the CE shall consult the Exco before making important policy decisions, introducing bills to the Legislative Council (Legco), making subordinate legislation, or dissolving the Lego. If the CE does not accept a majority opinion of the Exco, he or she shall put the specific reasons on record.
From relevant stipulations in the Basic Law, it could be seen that the Exco is an important component of the SAR governance structure. One of its importances lies in that its non-official members are from various sectors, strata and political parties and organisations who have certain representativeness and influence. As such they are the CE's valuable assistants to help the CE see and hear more clearly, so that he or she could hear of more opinions and make more thorough considerations before making any major policy decision. The part they can play speak for itself.
Given the list as announced yesterday, the Exco of the new-term government under Carrie Lam is heavy enough in weight, has representativeness and no lack of "new blood", which could give Carrie Lam considerably "in-place" help in her governance. For instance, quite a few people think Carrie Lam lacks experience in economic and financial affairs. Now the new Exco members include as its Convener Bernard Charnwut Chan from the insurance sector, Laura Cha Shih May-lung known as the "strong woman" in finance, and Joseph Yam Chi-kwong, former chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). They are the "three backers" mentioned by Carrie Lam during her election campaign. With these three heavy weights helping her, worries about Carrie Lam's lack of experience in economic and financial affairs could be relieved.
Likewise, education, poverty alleviation and elderly care are a focus of Carrie Lam's administration. The new Exco has as its members Arthur Li Kwok-cheung - former Secretary for Education, former Vice Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and now Chairman of the Council of University of Hong Kong, and Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun who used to oversee education for a long time. Both believably will offer Carrie Lam their down-to-earth advices - and surely unreservedly. New Exco member Lam Ching-choi is the incumbent chairman of the Elderly Commission, whose work domain and role are also easy to see.
Among the new Exco members, Barrister Ronny Tong Ka-wah attracts attention because of his "pan-democratic" background. Barrister Tong took a clear-cut stand during the political reform controversy a couple of years ago and the law-breaking Occupy Central afterwards. He insisted on handling affairs in accordance with the law and resolutely left the Civic Party to set up a think tank, Path of Democracy, to continue probing for the road toward democracy and the rule of law. The value of his joining the Exco lies in that he could provide his opinions on how to further advance democracy and the rule of law, rather than act as a "go-between" between the government and the opposition.
Another "new" Exco member attracting attention is "returnee" Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, chairperson of the New People's Party. It is well known that she resigned from the Exco for running the CE election, and during the election campaign there were hearsays that she did not get along with Carrie Lam. Now, Carrie Lam, the winner of the election, sincerely invited Mrs. Yip to come back to the Exco. Mrs. Ip yesterday also generously said that she had worked together with Carrie Lam for 30 years while the "confrontation" during the CE election only lasted for over 70 days, so such a trivial grudge should not be borne in mind when working for Hong Kong. She was open and aboveboard in her attitude. With her practicality and outspokenness, she surely will continue to play her role in the Exco.
The newly formed team of principal officials are aspired, capable and committed. The new Exco has a broad vision, farsightedness and insight. With their assistance, Carrie Lam's governance will be able to open up new prospects and bring new hopes.
23 June 2017
