John Lee Ka-chiu (born 1957) is a Hong Kong politician and former police officer who has served as chief executive of Hong Kong since 1 July 2022. Before becoming chief executive, he held senior positions in the police, served as secretary for security, and became chief secretary for administration in 2021. (ceo.gov.hk)
Education and police career
Lee holds a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Charles Sturt University in Australia. He joined the Hong Kong Police Force as a probationary inspector in 1977. His subsequent appointments included assistant commissioner for crime and director of crime and security. In 2010, he became deputy commissioner of police, with responsibility for management. (ceo.gov.hk)
Senior government appointments
Lee moved from the police into politically appointed office as under secretary for security in 2012. He became secretary for security in 2017. His portfolio covered policing and public order, immigration, customs, fire and rescue services, correctional services, and government flying services. (ceo.gov.hk)
In 2021, Lee was appointed chief secretary for administration. In that position, he assisted the chief executive in policy administration, supervised nine policy bureaux, and coordinated matters involving multiple bureaux and departments. (ceo.gov.hk)
Election as chief executive
Lee was the sole candidate in the chief executive election held on 8 May 2022. Members of the Election Committee, rather than the general electorate, cast the ballots. He received 1,416 valid votes in support and eight against, exceeding the required threshold of 750 supporting votes. (time.com)
The Central People’s Government of China appointed him on 20 May 2022. He took office on 1 July, when he was sworn in by President Xi Jinping. His administration is officially designated Hong Kong’s sixth-term government; that designation refers to the term of office rather than the number of individuals who have held the position. (ceo.gov.hk)
Selected policies and legislation
Housing and recruitment
In his first policy address, delivered on 19 October 2022, Lee proposed a Light Public Housing programme, with a target of constructing approximately 30,000 units over five years. The programme was intended to supplement conventional public rental housing and address the short-term housing supply gap. These figures were announced targets, not completed construction totals. (policyaddress.gov.hk)
The same address proposed the Top Talent Pass Scheme and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises to recruit skilled people and businesses. The talent scheme began operating on 28 December 2022. (info.gov.hk)
National security legislation
During Lee’s administration, Hong Kong enacted the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, local legislation addressing the responsibility specified in Article 23 of the Basic Law. The Legislative Council passed the bill on 19 March 2024; Lee signed the ordinance on 22 March, and it came into force on 23 March. (info.gov.hk)
References
- Biography | Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionceo.gov.hk
- 2022 Chief Executive Election - Election Resultelections.gov.hk
- Policy Address | The Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Addresspolicyaddress.gov.hk
- Housing Bureau - Policy - Housing - Light Public Housinghb.gov.hk
- Policy Address: Attracting talents, enterprises to boost competitivenessinfo.gov.hk
- Immigration Department Review 2022 (with photos) | Immigration Departmentimmd.gov.hk
- HKSAR organises activities for 2024 National Security Education Day (with videos)info.gov.hk
- CE signs Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (with photos)info.gov.hk