Executive Council of Hong Kong
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The Executive Council (ExCo, Traditional Chinese: 行政會議) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is an organ in the Executive branch of the political structure of Hong Kong. It is responsible for assisting the Chief Executive in policy-making. (Article 54 of the Basic Law). In other words it is the cabinet of the Chief Executive.
The Executive Council normally meets once a week (on Tuesday). The Executive Council is consulted before the Chief Executive makes important policy decisions, often make decisions via Orders-in-Council, or introduces bills to the Legislative Council.
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[edit] History
The Executive Council was first set up by the colonial government. Ex-officio members were the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary, Attorney General, and Commander British Forces Hong Kong (until 1991). Non-official members were appointed from prominent people of the colony. Non-official members made up the majority of the council, and are led by a senior member.
The formation of the Executive Council remained after the transfer of sovereignty in 1997 (except the title of senior member was renamed convenor) until a ministerial system (named Principal Officials Accountability System or POAS) was introduced in 2002, Tung Chee Hwa's second term of office. Since then all secretaries are political appointees and have to leave the civil service. All secretaries are appointed to the council, transforming the council effectively into a cabinet. Non-official members are minorities in the council, and are like ministers-without-portfolio. The position of convenor was abolished.
In fulfilling his election platform, Donald Tsang, the new Chief Executive, appointed eight new non-official members the day after the policy address was delivered on October 12, 2005. Secretaries of bureaux will sit in meetings of the Council when the agenda is related to their portfolio, and the position of convenor was restored. It was seen as a move to re-strengthen the role of the Council as a link with the community.
[edit] Composition
The members of ExCo are appointed by the Chief Executive from among principal officials (informally called "ministers"), members of Legislative Council, and public figures. The appointment and removal is decided by the Chief Executive. There is no fixed term of office, but the term of office of members shall not extend beyond the expiry of that of the Chief Executive who appoints them. (Article 55 of the Basic Law)
The Council is presided over by the Chief Executive. There are currently 14 ex-officio members and 15 non-official members in the Executive Council. Ex-officio members except the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Secretary for Justice only sit in meetings that are related to their portfolio.
[edit] Members include
- Donald Tsang Yam-kuen GBM, JP, KBE - Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR and President of the Executive Council
- Rafael Hui Si Yan GBS, JP - Chief Secretary for Administration
- Henry Tang Ying-yen GBS, JP - Financial Secretary
- Wong Yan Lung SC, JP - Secretary for Justice
- Michael Suen Ming-yeung GBS, JP - Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands
- Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung GBS, JP - Secretary for Education and Manpower
- Denise Yue Chung Yee - Secretary for the Civil Service
- Dr Patrick Ho Chi-ping JP - Secretary for Home Affairs
- Stephen Ip Shu-kwan GBS, JP - Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
- Dr Sarah Liao Sau-tung JP - Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
- Frederick Ma Si-hang JP - Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
- Stephen Lam JP - Secretary for Constitutional Affairs
- Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong IDSM, JP - Secretary for Security
- Joseph Wong Wing-ping GBS, JP - Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology
- Dr York Chow Yat-ngok SBS, JP - Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food
Non-Official Members include:
- Leung Chun-ying, GBS, JP (Convenor of non-official members)
- Jasper Tsang Yok-sing GBS, JP - Legislative Council member of the DAB
- Cheng Yiu-tong SBS, JP - General secretary of the HKFTU
- Andrew Liao Cheung-sing SBS, SC, JP - Senior Counsel
- Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee GBS, JP - Legislative Councillor of the Liberal Party
- Laura M Cha SBS
- Bernard C Chan JP - Legislative Councillor of The Alliance
- Lee Yeh Kwong, GBS, JP
- Ronald Arculli, GBS, JP
- David Li Kwok Po, GBS, Hon. LL.D. (Cantab), JP
- Leong Che Hung, GBS, JP
- Marvin Cheung Kin Tung, SBS, JP
- Henry Fan Hung Ling, SBS, JP
- Victor Lo Chung Wing, GBS, JP
- Anthony Cheung Bing Leung, BBS, JP
[edit] Provisional Members
- Yang Ti Liang
- Nellie Fong Wong Kut Man
- Rosanna Wong Yick Ming
- Raymond Chien Kuo Fung
- Paul Yip Kwok Wah - special advisor
[edit] Location
The Executive Council meets in the Main Wing of the Central Government Offices on Government Hill, in Central and below Government House (former residence of the British Governor of Hong Kong).
