Hong Kong labour minister says undersecretary appointment is not bid to pacify pro-Beijing camp
- Law Chi-kwong says unionist Ho Kai-ming was picked for his knowledge of and devotion to politics
- Choosing Ho allows development of ‘positive interactions’ with government-friendly parties, Law says, ‘but this was not the main reason’
Hong Kong’s labour and welfare minister Law Chi-kwong has rejected allegations that the appointment of a pro-Beijing unionist as his deputy was a political olive branch.
He said Ho Kai-ming, formerly a Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) lawmaker, was his top choice.
“When I came to know that my former deputy [Caspar Tsui Ying-wai] would become the new secretary for home affairs, I started thinking who should replace him,” Law told reporters. “The first person who I thought would be a suitable candidate was Ho.”
He said Ho, 35, was an ideal choice for his knowledge of and devotion to politics.
In April, the Hong Kong government announced a cabinet reshuffle that saw the departure of four ministers, while undersecretary for labour and welfare Tsui was appointed the new home affairs minister.
At last November’s district council elections – held amid anti-government protests in Hong Kong – the opposition won a landslide victory, prompting pro-government politicians to blame the city’s authorities for their defeat.
