Hired in secret: public not told about new advisor for Hong Kong’s Central Policy Unit

The Central Policy Unit, responsible for advising Hong Kong’s chief executive, chief secretary and financial secretary, has been criticised for quietly appointing a senior adviser to the government's think tank without disclosing the move to the public.

Former academic Dr Louie Kin-sheun assumed his short-term role as special project director on Monday – the appointment only confirmed after an inquiry from the South China Morning Post.

No public announcement was made, unlike in the appointments of three other members on the same pay grade who were handed longer-term contracts.

Louie, a retired City University political scientist, is the elder brother of Louie King-bun, a former executive editor of pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Po and former executive director of ATV.

He confirmed to the Post he had started work but declined to give details on which projects he will be responsible for.

A unit spokesman confirmed Louie’s “temporary” tenure would last 12 months. His pay grade is directorate grade-three – HK$180,200 per month.