The Executive Council (ExCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is an organ in the Executive branch of the political structure of Hong Kong. It is responsible for assisting the Chief Executive in policy-making. (Article 54 of the Basic Law). In other words it is the cabinet of the Chief Executive.

The Executive Council normally meets once a week (on Tuesday). The Executive Council is consulted before the Chief Executive makes important policy decisions or introduces bills to the Legislative Council.

Contents

1 History 2 Composition 2.1 Members include 3 Location 4 See also 5 External link

History

The Executive Council was first set up by the colonial government. Ex-officio members were the Chief Secretary, Financial Secretary and Attorney General. Non-official members were appointed from prominent people of the colony. Non-official members made up the majority of the council.

The formation of the Executive Council remained after the handover (1997) until a ministerial system (named Principal Officials Accountability System or POAS) was introduced in 2002, Tung Chee Hwa's second term of office. Since then all secretaries are political appointees and have to leave the civil service. All secretaries are appointed to the council, transforming the council effectively into a cabinet. Non-official members are minorities in the council, and are like ministers-without-portfolio.

Composition

The members of ExCo are appointed by the Chief Executive from among principal officials, members of Legislative Council, and public figures. The appointment and removal is decided by the Chief Executive. There is no fixed term of office, but the term of office of members shall not extend beyond the expiry of that of the Chief Executive who appoints them. (Article 55 of the Basic Law)

The Council is presided over by the Chief Executive. There are currently 14 ex-officio members and 5 non-official members in the Executive Council.

Members include

• Donald Tsang Yam-kuen GBM JP (Acting President) -Acting Chief Executive and Chief Secretary of Administration
• Henry Tang Ying-yen GBS JP (Ex-Officio) and Financial Secretary
• Elsie Leung Oi-sie GBM, JP - Secretary for Justice
• Michael Suen Ming-yeung GBS, JP - Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands

• Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung GBS, JP - Secretary for Education and Manpower
• Joseph Wong Wing-ping GBS, JP - Secretary for the Civil Service
• Dr Patrick Ho Chi-ping JP - Secretary for Home Affairs
• Stephen Ip Shu-kwan GBS, JP - Secretary for Economic Development and Labour
• Dr Honourable Sarah Liao Sau-tung JP - Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
• Frederick Ma Si-hang JP - Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury
• Stephen Lam Sui-lung JP - Secretary for Constitutional Affairs
• Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong IDSM, JP - Secretary for Security
• John Tsang Chun-wah JP - Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology
• Dr York Chow Yat-ngok SBS, JP - Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food

Non-Official Members include:

• Leung Chun-ying, GBS, JP
• Jasper Tsang Yok-sing GBS, JP
• Cheng Yiu-tong SBS, JP
• Andrew Liao Cheung-sing SBS, SC, JP
• Selina Chow Liang Shuk-Yee GBS, JP - former Urban Councillor, TVB Assistant Manager; graudate of Wilkes-Booth College (US) in Drama
• Laura M Cha SBS
• Bernard C Chan JP

Location

The Executive Council meets in the Main Wing of the Central Government Offices on Government Hill, in Central and below Government House (former residence of the British Governor of Hong Kong).

See also

• Politics of Hong Kong

External link

• Executive Council