The Honourable
Erick Tsang
IDSM
曾國衞
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs
Assumed office
22 April 2020
Chief ExecutiveCarrie Lam
(2020–2022)
John Lee
(since 2022)
Preceded byPatrick Nip
Director of Immigration
In office
5 April 2016 – 22 April 2020
Preceded byEric Chan
Succeeded byAu Ka-wang
Personal details
Born (1963-09-01) 1 September 1963
Hong Kong
Alma materNew Asia College, CUHK (BSS)
Erick Tsang Kwok-wai
Traditional Chinese曾國衞
Simplified Chinese曾国衞

Erick Tsang Kwok-wai IDSM (Chinese: 曾國衞; born 1 September 1963) is a Hong Kong government official. Since 2020, he has been Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, one of the principal officials of Hong Kong. Prior to that, he was Director of Immigration.

Biography

Tsang joined the Immigration Department in 1987 and rose through the ranks to Principal Immigration Officer in 2009. He was Assistant Secretary for Security from 2003 to 2006. In 2012, he became Assistant Director of Immigration and then in 2014, Deputy Director of Immigration. In April 2016, he was appointed Director of Immigration.[1]

In April 2020, State Council of the People's Republic of China appointed Tsang Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs,[2] replacing Patrick Nip, days after the department had failed to reflect Beijing's controversially changed position on the status of the Liaison Office under Hong Kong's Basic Law.[3][4] He also drew criticism for a prominently positioned photograph of Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping in his office.[5]

In August 2020, Tsang and ten other officials were sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13936 by President Trump for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.[6][7][8]

On October 14, 2020, the United States Department of State released a report on 10 individuals who materially contributed to the failure of the China to meet its obligations under the Sino–British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's Basic Law. Tsang was on the list.[9]

In September 2020, when pro-democracy organizers planned to hold primaries for the 2020 Legislative Council, Tsang said that candidates could be in breach of the National Security Law.[10]

On 25 November 2020, Tsang was spotted sleeping during Chief Executive Carrie Lam's annual Policy Address. At a press conference two days later, Tsang claimed that medication he took caused the drowsiness.[11]

In January 2021, Tsang commented on forcing district councillors to take an oath to pledge loyalty to the government, and said that under the National Security Law, this would be required.[12][13] After the arrest of 53 pro-democracy figures in January 2021, Tsang said that they had to pay the price for "crossing the red line" by organizing primaries for the Legislative Council.[14]

In February 2021, Tsang announced that under the government's plan to mandate district councillors take an oath of loyalty to the government,[15] four pro-democracy district councillors (Lester Shum, Tiffany Yuen, Fergus Leung and Tat Cheng) would lose their seats.[16] In response, Shum said that the government was crushing dissent.[16] Also in February 2021, Tsang said "You cannot say that you are patriotic but you do not love the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party or you do not respect it - this does not make sense."[17] In addition, on the potential changes to the electoral system from Beijing, Tsang said that "When the central government reaches a concrete decision, we will fully cooperate."[18] In March 2021, Tsang officially introduced the bill that would force district councillors to take an oath, stating that he would like it "passed as soon as possible."[19]

In March 2021, Tsang announced a publicity drive for the legislation that would only allow "patriots" to serve in the government, stating that "The Hong Kong government welcomes and supports the reforms," and that "We have planned for a full-scale programme of explanation, and the entire team of principal officials will participate in promoting this."[20] In less than two weeks, approximately HK $2.5 million was spent on creating some promotional videos.[21]

In April 2021, Tsang, along with Teresa Cheng, announced that the government would be looking into the possibility of banning blank ballots; in response, HKU Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun said that "You can't force people to vote for a particular person, or prevent people from voting for that person, or bar them from performing certain voting acts."[22] Also in April 2021, Tsang defended a proposal that would give the Secretary of Justice the power to suspend lawmakers.[23]

In December 2021, Tsang threatened The Wall Street Journal, after it published an editorial about the upcoming elections in Hong Kong.[24] Tsang said that convincing people to cast blank ballots is illegal "irrespective whether the incitement is made in Hong Kong or abroad. We reserve the right to take necessary action."[24]

In April 2022, Tsang downplayed the record-low turnout of 30.2% in the 2021 Legislative Council elections and said that people should not only look at figures to judge the election.[25]

In July 2022, when asked about changes that would only allow "patriots" to run for office, Tsang claimed that "In fact, democracy has taken a quantum leap forward since the return to the motherland in 1997."[26] Tsang also said that "rest assured that the ultimate aim of attaining universal suffrage... remains unchanged."[27]

In October 2022, Tsang said that the policy of requiring only "patriots" to serve in the government may be expanded from the current policy of requiring civil servants, District Council members, as well as government schoolteachers to pledge loyalty to the government, to also include key employees in statutory bodies and public utilities in the future.[28]

In May 2023, after District Councils had a reduction in democratically elected seats, Tsang defended the new changes and said "Therefore, any talk about elements of democracy, or talk about linking District Councils to the Special Administration Region's democratic progression, are complete misinterpretations of the original intention of the Basic Law, muddling up different concepts..."[29] Tsang said that "anti-China" forces used "loopholes" to "swindle" votes during the 2019 district council elections, where pro-democracy figures won the majority of seats; a change from the previous position, as Chief Executive Carrie Lam said at the time that the government respected the results.[30]

In July 2023, Tsang submitted legislation to ban insults to the flag of Hong Kong, including insults posted online, so that citizens could "consciously respect and love" the flag.[31]

Personal life

In October 2021, Tsang's wife Louise Ho Pui-shan, born 1968, became Commissioner of Customs and Excise of Hong Kong, after a three-decade career in the service,[32][33][34] while her younger sister Doris Ho Pui-ling - Tsang's sister-in-law - has since January 2021 headed up the government's Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office.[35]

In June 2022, Tsang tested positive for COVID-19.[36] Tsang's wife was deemed a close contact, and underwent mandatory quarantine.[36] In July 2022, she was put in quarantine again due to being a close contact with an infected colleague.[37]

According to a declaration of interests from 2023, Tsang owns property outside of Hong Kong.[38]

References

  1. ↑ "Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, IDSM, Director of Immigration".
  2. ↑ "Government announces appointment and removal of Principal Officials (with photos)". Hong Kong Government. 20 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Ho, Kelly (21 April 2020). "Mainland affairs minister Patrick Nip replaced following apology over Beijing office row". Hong Kong Free Press. HKFP. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  4. ↑ Cheung, Gary (21 April 2020). "Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to announce major cabinet reshuffle with four ministers leaving and another transferred, sources reveal". SCMP. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Lung, Natalie (22 April 2020). "Hong Kong Leader Carrie Lam Replaces Five Ministers in Cabinet Reshuffle". Hong Kong Free Press. HKFP. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ↑ "US sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, police chief and 9 other top officials for 'undermining autonomy'". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  7. ↑ Macias, Amanda (7 August 2020). "U.S. sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for carrying out Chinese 'policies of suppression'". CNBC. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  8. ↑ "Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Undermining Hong Kong's Autonomy". United States Department of the Treasury. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  9. ↑ U.S. Department of State. "Identification of Foreign Persons Involved in the Erosion of the Obligations of China Under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law". Archived from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Hong Kong national security law: 53 held for subversion in biggest crackdown yet". South China Morning Post. 6 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  11. ↑ "'Medicine put me to sleep, not the Policy Address'". RTHK. 27 November 2020.
  12. ↑ Chau, Candice (7 January 2021). "Hong Kong district councillors should swear allegiance to the city, says mainland affairs minister". Hong Kong Free Press.
  13. ↑ Ho, Kelly (21 January 2021). "Hong Kong district councillors have to swear loyalty to gov't, top official says". Hong Kong Free Press.
  14. ↑ "'Pan-dems have to pay for crossing red line' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Councillors face five-year bans for oath 'breaches' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  16. 1 2 "Govt move will see off at least four councillors - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  17. ↑ Analysis by James Griffiths. "Analysis: Hong Kong's new loyalty oath requires all lawmakers to love China -- and the Communist Party". CNN. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  18. ↑ "Legco polls date is up to Beijing: Erick Tsang - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  19. ↑ "Hong Kong gov't puts district councillors' new oath-taking requirement to legislature". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  20. ↑ "Hong Kong to launch 'full-scale' promotional campaign for electoral overhaul". South China Morning Post. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  21. ↑ Candice Chau (26 March 2021). "Hong Kong racks up HK$2.5 million spend on election overhaul promos". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  22. ↑ "Why debate is raging on making it illegal to cast blank ballots in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  23. ↑ "Proposed bill would give Hong Kong justice chief 'overly wide' powers to suspend lawmakers: critics ｜ Apple Daily". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  24. 1 2 "Hong Kong threatens Wall St Journal over 'incitement' following editorial on upcoming poll". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  25. ↑ "Legco polls turnout wasn't too low: Erick Tsang - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
  26. ↑ Leung, Hillary (13 July 2022). "'That would actually depend': Hong Kong rebuffs UN concerns over security law risks for groups at rights hearing". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  27. ↑ Leung, Hillary (13 July 2022). "Hong Kong tells UN democracy took 'quantum leap forward' amid grilling over press freedom, disbanded NGOs". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
  28. ↑ "Public utility execs may have to take oaths: govt - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  29. ↑ Lee, Peter (12 May 2023). "Claims that District Councils are linked to Hong Kong's democratic progression 'misinterpret' Basic Law, official says". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  30. ↑ "Hong Kong tables District Council overhaul bill, accuses ex-councillors of 'swindling' votes in 2019 election - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  31. ↑ Ho, Kelly (12 July 2023). "Outlawing online insults to regional flag can promote public respect and love for Hong Kong symbol, gov't says". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  32. ↑ "Congratulations to our alumna Ms HO Pui Shan Louise, C.M.S.M, for becoming the Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise. | 英華女校校友會YWGSAA". www.ywgsaa.org.hk.
  33. ↑ "New customs chief appointed". Hong Kong's Information Services Department (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 21 October 2021.
  34. ↑ Louise Ho becomes HK's first female customs chief, The Standard, 21 October 2021
  35. ↑ Hong Kong’s new customs chief to focus on national security threats, SCMP, 21 Oct. 2021
  36. 1 2 "2 top Hong Kong officials contract Covid, raising concerns over state leader visit". South China Morning Post. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  37. ↑ "HK reports another 2,773 local coronavirus cases - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  38. ↑ "16 Hong Kong top advisers declare ownership of 110 properties, 450 plots of land". South China Morning Post. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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