Xinhua Confirms Hong Kong Cabinet Reshuffle

The mainland’s state-run news agency, Xinhua, on Wednesday confirmed that the Hong Kong administration is undertaking a cabinet reshuffle.

The agency said the State Council has approved various appointments following nominations by the Chief Executive, Carrie Lam.

Reports had emerged locally about this on Tuesday, with the removal of Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Secretary Patrick Nip making the headlines as he was linked to an embarrassing government U-turn on the status and powers of Beijing's liaison office in Hong Kong.

Nip had said on social media on Monday night that he was very sorry for the "mistakes, confusion, and misunderstanding" caused by a series of contradictory press releases on the liaison office controversy that were released at the weekend.

Xinhua confirmed Tuesday’s media reports that Nip will now head the Civil Service Bureau and will be replaced by the current immigration director, Erick Tsang.

The state-run media also said that Under Secretary for Labour, Caspar Tsui, will become Secretary for Home Affairs, replacing Lau Kong-wah. The Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Alfred Sit, will head up the Innovation and Technology bureau, replacing Nicholas Yang.

The executive director of the Financial Services Development Council, Christopher Hui, will become Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, replacing James Lau.

The Chief Executive was scheduled to speak to the media about the reshuffle at noon.