CE's Top Aide Named As New Security Panel Boss

Beijing on Thursday appointed the director of the Chief Executive’s Office Eric Chan as the secretary-general of the national security committee, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The brief report said he was nominated by Carrie Lam.

Chan was previously the director of the Immigration Department.

Under the newly enacted law, the committee is to be chaired by the Chief Executive, and is under the supervision of and accountable to the central government. Beijing will also send its national security adviser to sit-in on the meetings.

The committee is tasked with analysing and assessing developments in relation to safeguarding, making plans and formulating policies to safeguard national security, among other things. But none of its decisions can be challenged in courts.

Separately, Beijing also appointed Au Ka-wang as the new immigration chief.