Matthew Cheung
Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, GBM, GBS, JP (Chinese: 張建宗; born 20 November 1950) is a Hong Kong government official serving as Chief Secretary for Administration since 2017. Cheung previously served as the Secretary for Labour and Welfare for ten years.
Matthew Cheung Kin-chung | |
|---|---|
張建宗 | |
 | |
| Chief Secretary for Administration | |
| Assumed office 16 January 2017 Acting: 13 January 2017 - 16 January 2017 | |
| Chief Executive | Leung Chun-ying Carrie Lam |
| Preceded by | Carrie Lam |
| Secretary for Labour and Welfare | |
| In office 1 July 2007 – 16 January 2017 | |
| Preceded by | York Chow (Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food) Stephen Ip (Secretary for Economic Development and Labour) |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Sui |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1950 British Hong Kong |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Alma mater | University of Hong Kong |
| Signature |  |
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 the then British colonial government. During the Vietnamese refugee crisis of the 1970s, he was responsible for arranging visits for foreign media to the refugee camps.[1] 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.[2]
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.[2] 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.[1]
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.[1] He was criticised for his low profile during the 2013 Hong Kong dock strike.[3] He was also criticised for only taking orders from his superiors and not taking responsibility for decisions.[1]
In January 2017, he became the Chief Secretary for Administration, replacing Carrie Lam.[2]
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.” [4][5]
References
- "New Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung's 45-year climb from information officer to minister". South China Morning Post. 16 January 2017.
- "Appointment of Principal Officials announced (with photos)". Information Services Department.
- "【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.
- 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.
- "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.
External links
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jacqueline Willis |
Commissioner of Labour 1999–2000 |
Succeeded by Pamela Tan |
| Preceded by Fanny Law |
Director of Education 2000–2002 |
Succeeded by Arthur Li as Secretary for Education and Manpower |
| Preceded by Pamela Tan |
Commissioner of Labour 2002–2007 |
Succeeded by Paul Tang |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by York Chow as Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food |
Secretary for Labour and Welfare 2007–2017 |
Succeeded by Stephen Sui |
| Preceded by Stephen Ip as Secretary for Economic Development and Labour | ||
| Preceded by Carrie Lam |
Chief Secretary for Administration 2017–present |
Incumbent |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Previous: Leung Chun-ying Former Chief Executive |
Hong Kong order of precedence Chief Secretary for Administration |
Succeeded by Paul Chan Mo-po Financial Secretary |