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Matthew Cheung

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In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Cheung. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Matthew Cheung and the Chinese-style name is Cheung Kin-chung.
The Honourable
Matthew Cheung Kin-chung
GBM GBS JP
張建宗
Cheung in 2020
7th Chief Secretary for Administration
In office
16 January 2017 – 25 June 2021
Acting: 13 January 2017 – 16 January 2017
Chief ExecutiveLeung Chun-ying
Carrie Lam
Preceded byCarrie Lam
Succeeded byJohn Lee
Secretary for Labour and Welfare
In office
1 July 2007 – 16 January 2017
Preceded byYork Chow (Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food)
Stephen Ip (Secretary for Economic Development and Labour)
Succeeded byStephen Sui
Personal details
Born (1950-11-20) November 20, 1950 (age 73)
British Hong Kong
NationalityChinese
Alma materUniversity of Hong Kong
Signature

Matthew Cheung Kin-chung GBM GBS JP (Chinese: 張建宗; born 20 November 1950) is a former Hong Kong politician who served as Chief Secretary for Administration from 2017 to 2021. Cheung previously served as the Secretary for Labour and Welfare for ten years. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 2017.[1]

Biography

Cheung was born in Hong Kong in 1950. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1972, then became an Information Officer for British colonial government. During the Vietnamese refugee crisis of the 1970s, he was responsible for arranging visits for foreign media to the refugee camps.[2] He was transferred to the Administrative Service in September 1979 and has served in various bureaus and departments in the government.

During his earlier years of service, he served in the Finance Branch, Home Affairs Department, City and New Territories Administration, Government House and the Industry Department. As a directorate officer since 1986, Cheung served as District Officer of North District, Assistant Director-General of Trade, Administrative Assistant to the Financial Secretary, Deputy Judiciary Administrator, and Deputy Head of Central Policy Unit.[3]

He was promoted to Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower (1996–1999), Commissioner for Labour (1999–2000), Director of Education (2000–2002), and Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (later known as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development/Commissioner for Labour; 2002–2007). He was promoted to Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in September 2004.[3] Cheung was known for his hardworking style, having taken less than three weeks off in the five years leading up to his retirement in March 2007 as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour.[2]

In July 2007, he was appointed Secretary for Labour and Welfare, one of the principal officials. During his tenure, he oversaw the minimum wage legislation and Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme introduced in 2011. He also tackled issues such as the Old Age Living Allowance, standard working hours and paternity leave, all of which are still fiercely debated over by unionists and employers with opposing views.[2] He was criticised for his low profile during the 2013 Hong Kong dock strike.[4] He was also criticised for only taking orders from his superiors and not taking responsibility for decisions.[2]

Cheung became Chief Secretary for Administration, the number 2 government official, in 2017

In January 2017, he became the Chief Secretary for Administration, replacing Carrie Lam.[3]

On September 1, 2019 in the midst of protests against the government of Hong Kong he wrote that "Schools are places for learning, and are absolutely not places for expressing political views or demands."[5][6]

In October 2020, Cheung stated that the government will not allow schools to become "breeding grounds" for Hong Kong independence, and that the Education Bureau must protect students from those "twisted and illegal" ideas.[7] In addition, Cheung said that teachers should train students to become "responsible and good citizens and nationals, who contribute to the long-term stability of the country and the community."[7]

In November 2020, following the expulsion of 4 pro-democracy lawmakers from the Legislative Council, Cheung said that the decision was "constitutional, legal and reasonable."[8]

Also in November 2020, after multiple lawmakers were caught sleeping or distracted during Carrie Lam's annual Policy Address,[9] Cheung downplayed the situation and said it was only "one or two out of 40 or 50 people there."[10]

On 17 January 2021, Cheung wrote a blog post justifying the requirement that civil servants sign an oath to pledge loyalty to the government, stating that it would make the civil servants demonstrate their loyalties and commitments.[11]

In March 2021, Cheung claimed that steps to have only "patriots" serve in the government would make the city more democratic and "enhance the quality of democracy here."[12][13] Cheung also claimed that the approved changes to the Legislative Council would better represent the public.[14] In April 2021, Cheung briefed Legislative Council members on the changes, and asked for them to brief other people in the community on the "improvements" to the system.[15]

In June 2021, Cheung retired from public service.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Appendix to the 2017 Honours List" (PDF). Hong Kong SAR Government. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "New Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung's 45-year climb from information officer to minister". South China Morning Post. 16 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Appointment of Principal Officials announced (with photos)". Information Services Department.
  4. ^ "【特首選戰】張建宗接任政務司 碼頭工潮曾因龜縮民望跌". Apple Daily. 16 January 2017.
  5. ^ Ramzy, Austin; Qin, Amy (2019-09-01). "Hong Kong Protesters Squeeze Access to the Airport". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  6. ^ "政務司司長 - 我的網誌 - 培育青年為未來 一技之長出頭天 暴力之風不可長 對話溝通不可少". www.cso.gov.hk. Retrieved 2019-09-01.
  7. ^ a b "Schools won't be independence breeding grounds: CS - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2020-10-12.
  8. ^ "Ousting of 4 lawmakers 'legal and reasonable' says Hong Kong no.2, as gov't condemns 'groundless' foreign criticism". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2020-11-16. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  9. ^ "Naps, hairy crabs, inject drama into 2½-hour Hong Kong policy address". South China Morning Post. 2020-11-25. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  10. ^ "CS critical of dozy minister, distracted lawmakers - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  11. ^ Kong, Dimsumdaily Hong (2021-01-17). "Chief Secretary for Administration says oath by civil servants is a collective demonstration of loyalty and commitment". Dimsum Daily. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  12. ^ "Monetary authority chief insists electoral overhaul not to blame for capital outflow". South China Morning Post. 2021-03-21. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  13. ^ "'Electoral changes enhance the quality of democracy' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  14. ^ "Universal suffrage may come earlier now: Rita Fan - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  15. ^ "CS meets with LegCo Members and Hong Kong members of national organisations on improving Hong Kong's electoral system (with photos/videos)". Hong Kong Government. 7 April 2021.
  16. ^ "Matthew Cheung thanks all the CEs he worked under - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2021-06-26.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Matthew Cheung.
Government offices
Preceded by Commissioner of Labour
1999–2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of Education
2000–2002 		Succeeded byas Secretary for Education and Manpower
Preceded by Commissioner of Labour
2002–2007 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded byas Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Secretary for Labour and Welfare
2007–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded byas Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
Preceded by Chief Secretary for Administration
2017–2021 		Succeeded by
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