Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa yesterday unveiled a new team of principal officials under the accountability system less than one week before he begins a second five-year term in office.
The appointments, approved by the central government over the weekend, heralded "the dawning of a new era" of government in Hong Kong, Tung told a press conference.
The central idea of the accountability system, which replaces civil servants with political appointees, is to make top-echelon officials more responsive to the needs of the community and hold them responsible for policy failures.
Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang, Financial Secretary Antony Leung and Justice Secretary Elsie Leung will continue to assist the chief executive in their current posts after the second-term HKSAR Government swears in on July 1, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
Of the 11 directors of bureaus, most were retained from the civil service while five new members were brought in from business, professional and academic fields.
The above principal officials will work on non-civil service terms for a period not exceeding five years.
"In the next five years, we will be a government which is more accountable to the people of Hong Kong. Ours will be an open, enlightened and progressive government," Tung said.
"Ours will also be a government which is fully committed to Hong Kong, and has the resolve to work closely with different sectors to pursue the overall interest of the community."
He also announced the appointments of 14 permanent secretaries, who will assist the principal officials to formulate and execute their respective policy portfolios.
Unlike the principal officials, permanent secretaries will still be working on civil-service terms.
Also appointed were five principal officials heading the disciplined services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Audit Commission.
Speaking of his criteria for selection of the new team at yesterday's press conference, Tung said experience, knowledge, ability, commitment to society, track record in public services, good character, impartiality and, quite importantly, team spirit, all count.
"The new team is chosen from among different sectors and this reflects the resolve of the government to attract talents from a broad spectrum to take care of each policy portfolios," he said.
"The new team also clearly reflects my resolve to put into practice a new style of governance which works for the betterment of Hong Kong."
Tung was asked if he had received many snubs and if some of the appointed officials were not his first choices, and if being too close to the business sector would affect the credibility of some officials.
In reply, Tung said he had interviewed a very wide cross-section of people during the selection process and the ones appointed are his first team.
"I want to tell you that having seen everybody, this is my first team and they are the best team, although there are others who for different considerations felt this is not the right time to become principal officials under the accountability system."
As to criticisms leveled at some members of the team, he said it is very normal in an open society and he has total confidence in his 14 principal officials.
Tung was also asked if he has any yardstick for measuring the performance of the principal officials and in what circumstances will they have to step down.
He replied that he would evaluate the success or failure of their performance from the perspective of their five-year plan and immediate yearly plan.
As to how officials would bear responsibility for their blunders, Tung said: "I would emphasize that I would not make a decision simply for winning hand claps, but I would surely take action against serious mishaps, especially when their integrity goes wrong."
Tung also offered a warm welcome to the five newcomers who will serve as unofficial members of the Executive Council alongside the principal officials.
"They come from a variety of backgrounds covering the labour sector, business sector, the legal profession and the political scene. I have every confidence that with their input, the Executive Council will be strengthened.
(China Daily June 25, 2002)
