Edward Yau
{{Short description|Hong Kong politician}}
{{family name hatnote|Yau|Edward Yau|Yau Tang-wah|lang=Hong Kong}}{{Use Hong Kong English|date=July 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix =
|name=Edward Yau Tang-wah
|native_name = {{nobold|邱騰華}}
|native_name_lang = zh-hk
|image=File:Edward Yau.jpg
|caption=Edward Yau introducing the plastic levy in 2009
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1960|4|28|df=y}}
|birth_place=British Hong Kong
|alma_mater=University of Hong Kong
Oxford University
Harvard University
|office=Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
|predecessor=Gregory So
|successor=Algernon Yau
|1blankname=Chief Executive
|1namedata=Carrie Lam
|term_start=1 July 2017
|term_end=30 June 2022
|office1=Director, Office of the Chief Executive
|predecessor1=Gabriel Leung
|successor1 = Eric Chan
|1blankname1=Chief Executive
|1namedata1=Leung Chun-ying
|term_start1=1 July 2012
|term_end1=30 June 2017
|office2=Secretary for the Environment
|term_start2=1 July 2007
|term_end2=30 June 2012
|predecessor2= Position established
|successor2=Wong Kam-sing
|2blankname2=Chief Executive
|2namedata2=Sir Donald Tsang
|office3=Director of the Information Services
|term_start3=2006
|term_end3=2007
|predecessor3=Yvonne Choi
|successor3=Fung Ching Suk-yee
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|t=邱騰華
|j=Jau1 Tang4 waa4
|y=Yāu Tàhng wàh
|hide=yes
|s=邱腾华
|p=Qiū Ténghuá|
}}
Edward Yau Tang-wah, GBS, JP ({{zh|t=邱騰華}}; born 28 April 1960, Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong politician. He was the Secretary for the Environment from 2007 to 2012, and from 2012 to 2017, he was the Director of the Chief Executive's Office of Hong Kong. He served as Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development from 2017 to 2022.
Career
Yau joined the Administrative Service in August 1981 and earned more than 30 years of public administration experience. During his years as a civil servant, he was Deputy Director-General of Trade (later renamed Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry), Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington, and Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, and Director of Information Services.
Yau was the Secretary for the Environment from 2007 to 2012. His responsibilities covered environmental protection, energy, and sustainable development. Nature conservation was also one of his main tasks and with his efforts, he established the Hong Kong Geopark which showcases the unique geological features in northeast Hong Kong. The Park obtained the UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2011.
From 2012 to 2017, he was the Director of the Chief Executive's Office of Hong Kong, and his responsibilities were to assist the Chief Executive in formulating policies and setting policy goals and priorities; and to maintain close contacts with Executive and Legislative Councillors, political parties as well as the public sector to enlist their support for Government work.
In 2020, after RTHK journalist Yvonne Tong asked WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward about the status of Taiwan, Yau claimed that the show had violated the "One China" principle.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-13|title=Hong Kong journalist who challenged WHO official quits RTHK - sources|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/04/13/journalist-yvonne-tong-quits-rthk-source/|access-date=2021-04-13|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}}
In September 2020, after the United States required that goods made in Hong Kong be labelled as "Made in China," Yau filed a complaint to the United States, stating that such a rule was unreasonable.{{Cite web|date=2020-09-16|title=Hong Kong formally demands US drop ‘Made-in-China’ labelling requirement|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3101771/hong-kong-formally-demands-us-drop-made-china|access-date=2021-02-03|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}
In January 2021, Yau said that a policy to require SIM card registration, where users of SIM cards would need to link their IDs, was necessary.{{Cite web|last=Candice Chau|date=2021-01-29|title=Minister says Hong Kong SIM card ID registration plan will thwart crime, but expert says workarounds possible|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/01/29/minister-says-hong-kong-sim-card-id-registration-plan-will-thwart-crime-but-expert-says-workarounds-possible/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}} In response, some sellers of pre-paid SIM cards said that they might lose their business, and that it would not prevent criminal activity, as criminals could use SIM cards from overseas.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-03|title='This will be the end of our industry': Hong Kong registration plan may kill off pre-paid SIM card business, retailers say|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/02/03/this-will-be-the-end-of-our-industry-hong-kong-registration-plan-may-kill-off-pre-paid-sim-card-business-retailers-say/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}} In May 2023, the government revealed that phone scams increased by 76% from the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023.{{Cite web |last=Cheng |first=Mandy |title=Hong Kong sees overall crime rise by almost 50% in first quarter of 2023 - fraud and violent crime up - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/05/16/hong-kong-sees-overall-crime-rise-by-almost-50-in-first-quarter-of-2023-fraud-and-violent-crime-up/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=hongkongfp.com |language=en-GB}}
In February 2021, Yau said that his bureau was investigating complaints into RTHK and that he had requested RTHK to conduct a thorough review of its programming.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=RTHK should respond in a responsible manner over wrongdoings: Edward Yau|url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/164890/RTHK-should-respond-in-a-responsible-manner-over-wrongdoings:-Edward-Yau|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203062003/https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/164890/RTHK-should-respond-in-a-responsible-manner-over-wrongdoings:-Edward-Yau |archive-date=3 February 2021 |access-date=|website=The Standard}} Following a report that said RTHK had "serious inadequacies" that required changes, Yau claimed that the government was not trying to weaken RTHK's editorial independence.{{Cite web|title=RTHK told to address its 'serious inadequacies' - RTHK|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1576410-20210219.htm?|access-date=2021-02-20|website=news.rthk.hk|language=en-gb}} In March 2021, after two people asked why some episodes on RTHK had been axed, Yau defended the decisions and said "There is no need for the public to discuss whether a programme should be screened or not."{{Cite web|date=2021-03-16|title=New RTHK boss confirms he axed several episodes of shows over lack of balance|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3125569/new-rthk-boss-confirms-he-pulled-plug-several-programmes-and|access-date=2021-03-16|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}
In July 2021, Yau dismissed claims that the National Security Law would affect the city's creative freedom.{{Cite web|date=2021-07-12|title=National security law: Hong Kong commerce chief dismisses lawmakers’ calls to censor online films|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3140838/national-security-law-hong-kong-commerce-chief-dismisses|access-date=2021-08-24|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} In August 2021, Yau announced the introduction of a new film censorship law with punishments of up to three years in jail and fines of up to HK$1 million ($128,000) for anyone screening films containing material in violation of the new law.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-24|title=Illegal Film Screenings to Be Punished With Three-Year Jail Terms Under Hong Kong Censorship Law|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/asia/hong-kong-censorship-law-jail-1235047547/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=Variety|language=en}} Yau claimed that the law would not compromise freedom of speech.{{Cite web|title=Edward Yau: security law protects free speech - RTHK|url=https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1608002-20210828.htm?|access-date=2021-08-28|website=news.rthk.hk|language=en-gb}}
In August 2021, Yau defended his decision to allow Nicole Kidman to skip quarantine when flying from Australia to Hong Kong, when others, including residents of Hong Kong, must undergo hotel quarantine.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-20|title=Official defends Nicole Kidman’s quarantine-free deal in Hong Kong|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3145754/nicole-kidmans-quarantine-free-deal-hong-kong|access-date=2021-08-20|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} Athletes representing Hong Kong also must quarantine.{{Cite web|date=2021-08-25|title=Hong Kong trail runner hit by quarantine changes, coach blasts government|url=https://www.scmp.com/sport/outdoor/trail-running/article/3146193/hong-kong-trail-runner-wong-ho-chung-hit-quarantine|access-date=2021-08-25|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} Yau later during a TV interview claimed that Kidman's trip to a clothing store could have been part of a "costume fitting".{{Cite web|date=2021-08-23|title=Nicole Kidman's shopping trip could have been 'costume fitting,' claims Hong Kong minister after star skips Covid quarantine|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/08/23/nicole-kidmans-shopping-trip-could-have-been-costume-fitting-claims-hong-kong-minister-after-star-skips-covid-quarantine/|access-date=2021-08-23|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}}
Education
Edward Yau graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1981, and received further education at Oxford University and Harvard University.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/po/sced.htm Mr Edward Yau Tang-wah biodata]
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{{s-bef|before=Sarah Liao|as=Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works}}
{{s-ttl|title=Secretary for the Environment|years = 2007–2012}}
{{s-aft|after=Wong Kam-sing}}
{{s-bef|before=Gabriel Leung}}
{{s-ttl|title=Director of Chief Executive Office|years = 2012–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=Eric Chan}}
{{s-bef|before=Gregory So}}
{{s-ttl|title=Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development|years = 2017–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=Algernon Yau}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Yau, Edward}}
Category:Alumni of the University of Hong Kong
Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford
Category:Government officials of Hong Kong