Outgoing Officials Aren't Being Punished: Carrie Lam

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Wednesday that she "admires the spirit" of the new principal officials joining her team "during a difficult time in Hong Kong", as she also denied that anyone was being sacked as a form of punishment.

Before handing the floor to those given new roles in her ruling team; Patrick Nip, Erick Tsang, Alfred Sit, Christopher Hui and Caspar Tsui, Lam thanked the four men on their way out.

She said Civil Service chief Joshua Law, Home Affairs Secretary Lau Kong-wah, Innovation and Technology Bureau head Nicholas Yang and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury James Lau had all "served with dedication".

In response to a reporter's question on whether the removals are being made to punish individuals, the CE said this reshuffle process had "taken longer than just a few days".

She said she could tell people "categorically" that the move has nothing to do with an embarrassing saga at the weekend involving apparent government confusion over whether Beijing's liaison office needs to abide by Article 22 of the Basic Law, and it is not related to a series of recent statements by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office.

She added that the new members of the team were "more than willing" to join her administration despite the "serious challenges" that Hong Kong is facing at the moment.

"Many people who treat Hong Kong as home and have aspirations hope to help Hong Kong get out of the deadlock," Lam said.

The five men given new appointments all spoke briefly, but did not take questions from the media.

Nip said he was grateful to Lam for nominating him as Civil Service Bureau chief and he intends to ensure that the city's "dedicated" civil servants continue to serve Hong Kong with political neutrality, and in a professional and diligent manner.

Former immigration director Tsang, who is replacing Nip as constitutional and mainland affairs secretary, said the position is a whole new challenge for him, but he has years of experience in working with various mainland ministries and departments.

He said his upcoming tasks will include ensuring that September's Legco elections are held in an open, fair and impartial manner, and promoting publicity and education of the Basic Law.

"We would like the public to have a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the Basic Law," Tsang said.

Tsui is the new secretary for home affairs, replacing Lau Kong-wah. Sit is taking over from Yang at the Innovation and Technology Bureau, and Hui is replacing James Lau as secretary for financial services and the treasury.