Reevaluating Hong Kong’s Political Appointments: A Closer Look at a Flawed System
In a surprising turn of events, Hong Kong’s political appointments have come under scrutiny for failing to achieve their intended objectives. The recent appointments of two career civil servants to secretarial posts have raised questions about the efficacy of the existing system. Chief Executive John Lee swore in Mable Chan as the new Secretary for Transport and Logistics and Rosanna Law Shuk-pui as the new Secretary for Culture, Sports, and Tourism on December 5, 2024.
A Failed Experiment: The Principal Officials Accountability System
The system was initially introduced in 2002 by then-chief executive Tung Chee-hwa as a way to appoint heads of bureaus from outside the traditional civil service promotion mechanism. However, this move did not align with the existing bureaucratic structure, leading to confusion about its purpose and effectiveness. Tung’s background in the shipping industry may have influenced his decision to bypass the civil service hierarchy.
There were two main interpretations of the new system: one viewed it as a way to ensure civil servants followed instructions more closely, while the other saw it as a means to enhance transparency and accountability in the government. Unfortunately, neither vision materialized as expected, with the new secretaries facing similar challenges as their predecessors.
The Evolution of Political Appointments
Over the years, the system underwent changes, with Donald Tsang renaming it the Political Appointments System in 2008. This new structure aimed to provide additional support to existing secretaries by adding undersecretaries and assistants. Despite these modifications, the core issues remained unresolved, and the system continued to face criticism for its inefficiency and lack of diversity in appointees.
Rethinking the Future of Political Appointments
As the system’s shortcomings become more apparent, the pressing question arises: is it time to reevaluate the necessity of this costly framework? The failure to attract a diverse pool of talent to key government positions and the lack of political neutrality within the civil service point to a need for reform. With limited resources and changing political landscapes, maintaining the current system may no longer be a viable option.
In conclusion, the Political Appointment System in Hong Kong has fallen short of its intended goals and is in need of a thorough reassessment. By acknowledging its limitations and exploring alternative approaches, the government can strive towards a more efficient and inclusive governance structure that better serves the needs of the people.
