Eric Chan

{{Short description|Hong Kong politician}}

{{family name hatnote|Chan|Eric Chan |Chan Kwok-ki|lang=Hong Kong}}

{{Use Hong Kong English |date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific_prefix = The Honourable

| name = Eric Chan Kwok-ki{{notetag|The enrolled name in Hong Kong Government is Chan Kwok-ki.}}

| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=HKG|SBS|IDSM|JP|size=100%}}

| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hant|陳國基}}}}

| native_name_lang = zh

| image = Eric Chan Kwok-ki 2023 (cropped).jpg

| caption = Chan in 2023

| order1 = 9th

| office1 = Chief Secretary for Administration

| term_start1 = 1 July 2022

| term_end1 =

| 1blankname1 = Chief Executive

| 1namedata1 = John Lee Ka-chiu

| predecessor1 = John Lee Ka-chiu

| successor1 =

| office2 = Director of the Chief Executive's Office

| term_start2 = 1 July 2017

| term_end2 = 30 June 2022

| 1blankname2 = Chief Executive

| 1namedata2 = Carrie Lam

| predecessor2 = Edward Yau

| successor2 = {{ill|Carol Yip Man-kuen|zh|葉文娟}}

| office3 = Secretary-General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security

| predecessor3 =

| successor3 =

| 1blankname3 = Chairperson

| 1namedata3 = Carrie Lam

| term_start3 = 2 July 2020

| term_end3 = 30 June 2022

| office4 = Director of Immigration

| term_start4 = 28 March 2011

| term_end4 = 4 April 2016

| 1blankname4 = Chief Executive

| 1namedata4 = Donald Tsang
Leung Chun-ying

| predecessor4 = Simon Peh

| successor4 = Erick Tsang

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|4|5|df=yes}}

| birth_place = British Hong Kong

| birth_name =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| resting_place =

| residence = Shatin, Hong Kong

| occupation = Civil servant

| party =

| otherparty =

| spouse = Kristy Lai Chin Har{{Cite news|url=https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20170505/ZAL3LEWHKEHKRI7U4OLV5BZC5E/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201062040/https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20170505/ZAL3LEWHKEHKRI7U4OLV5BZC5E/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2020|script-title=zh:妻任校長 屢派下屬到校撐場|date=2017-05-05|work=Apple Daily|location=Hong Kong|access-date=2020-08-08|language=zh-hk}}

| partner =

| children =

| parents =

| mother =

| father =

| relatives =

| signature =

| signature_alt =

| blank1 =

| data1 =

| allegiance =

| branch =

| module = {{Infobox Chinese |child=yes

| name1 = Eric Chan Kwok-ki

|t=陳國基

|s=陈国基

|p= Chén Guójī

|j= Can4 Gwok3-gei1

}}

| education = Shue Yan College (HonDip)
Tsinghua University (LLB)

}}

Eric Chan Kwok-ki {{Post-nominals |country=HKG|SBS|IDSM|JP}} ({{zh|t=陳國基}}; born 5 April 1959) is a Hong Kong politician who is the incumbent Chief Secretary for Administration since 1 July 2022. He was also the secretary-general of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security (2020–2022).{{cite web |title=Establishment of Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR (with photos) |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/03/P2020070300653.htm |website=www.info.gov.hk |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=6 July 2020}} Previously, he served as Director of the Chief Executive's Office (2017–2022) and Director of Immigration (2011–2016).{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/po/di.htm|title=Mr Eric Chan Kwok-ki, IDSM, Director of Immigration|publisher=Government of Hong Kong|date=March 2011|accessdate=9 August 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201604/05/P201604050170.htm|title=Appointment of Director of Immigration|publisher=Government of Hong Kong|date=April 5, 2016}}

Early life

Chan studied in CCC Heep Woh College from 1972 to 1976. In 1982, he graduated from Hong Kong Shue Yan College (Now Hong Kong Shue Yan University). During the year of his services, he completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at Tsinghua University in 2001.

Career

Chan joined the Immigration Department of Hong Kong as an Assistant Immigration Officer in 1982. In 1989, he was promoted to Immigration Officer, then Senior Immigration Officer in 1995, and Chief Immigration Officer in 2000. By 2003, he was Assistant Principal Immigration Officer, and promoted to Principal Immigration Officer the following year. In 2007, Chan was appointed as Assistant Director of Immigration, then Deputy Director of Immigration in 2010. He was appointed as Director of Immigration in March 2011 succeeding Simon Peh.

Chan was involved in the import restriction imposed on Japanese goods to Hong Kong in aftermath of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster.{{cite news|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/hkedition/2011-03/22/content_12205532.htm|title=Govt to push ahead nuclear power despite Japan incident|first=Andrea|last=Deng|date=22 March 2011|newspaper=China Daily|accessdate=9 August 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=109121&sid=31647646&con_type=1 |title=Second blast lifts fallout fears |newspaper=The Standard |date=15 March 2011 |accessdate=9 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019042005/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=17&art_id=109121&sid=31647646&con_type=1 |archivedate=19 October 2012 }}

File:特首辦主任陳國基5.jpg

In May 2017, Chan was appointed Director of Chief Executive-elect's Office under Chief Executive-elect Carrie Lam.{{cite news|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201705/04/P2017050400389.htm|title=Appointment of Director of Chief Executive-elect's Office|newspaper=Government of Hong Kong|accessdate=4 May 2017}} He was appointed Director of Chief Executive's Office when Lam took office in July 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201706/21/P2017062100346.htm|title=New team of Principal Officials appointed|newspaper=Government of Hong Kong|accessdate=21 June 2017}}

In July 2020, Chan was appointed Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.{{cite web |title=Appointment of Secretary General of Committee for Safeguarding National Security of HKSAR (with photos) |url=https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202007/02/P2020070200686.htm |website=www.info.gov.hk |publisher=Hong Kong Government |accessdate=6 July 2020}}

=U.S. sanctions=

In August 2020, Chan and ten other officials were sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13936 by President Trump for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.{{cite news |title=US sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, police chief and 9 other top officials for 'undermining autonomy' |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2020/08/07/breaking-us-sanctions-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam-police-chief-and-other-top-officials-for-undermining-autonomy/ |accessdate=7 August 2020 |work=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |date=7 August 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Macias |first1=Amanda |title=U.S. sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for carrying out Chinese 'policies of suppression' |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/07/us-sanctions-hong-kong-leader-carrie-lam.html |accessdate=7 August 2020 |work=CNBC |date=7 August 2020 |language=en}}{{cite web |url= https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1088 |publisher= United States Department of the Treasury |title= Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Undermining Hong Kong's Autonomy |date=7 August 2020 |accessdate=7 August 2020}} His home at Royal Ascot in Sha Tin was bought for HKD 8.69 million in 2009 and the mortgage was fully paid off,{{Cite web|date=2020-08-21|title=Teresa Cheng's mortgage under scrutiny as US sanctions cut bank ties|url=https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3098268/hong-kong-justice-secretarys-standard-chartered-mortgage-under-scrutiny-us|access-date=2020-08-24|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}} negating any issues that could arise from sanctions against his bank.

On 14 October 2020, the United States Department of State released a report on ten individuals who materially contributed to the failure of China to fulfill its obligations under the Sino–British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's Basic Law. Chan was included on the list.{{cite web |last1= U.S. Department of State | title= Identification of Foreign Persons Involved in the Erosion of the Obligations of China Under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law |url= https://www.state.gov/identification-of-foreign-persons-involved-in-the-erosion-of-the-obligations-of-china-under-the-joint-declaration-or-the-basic-law/ |access-date=14 October 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201015031346/https://www.state.gov/identification-of-foreign-persons-involved-in-the-erosion-of-the-obligations-of-china-under-the-joint-declaration-or-the-basic-law/ | archive-date=15 October 2020}}

= Chief Secretary for Administration =

In September 2023, Chan said about a recent rainstorm that "For this heavy rain, it was once in 500 years. It was so big and so sudden and the predictability was so low."{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=Opinion {{!}} The day our visionary flood control failed the test of climate change |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3234032/how-hong-kongs-visionary-flood-control-failed-test-climate-change |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}} However, records have only been kept since 1884, or 139 years at the time of the storm.

In November 2023, after some experts predicted record low voter turnout for the District Council elections, Chan said that Hong Kong's 170,000 civil servants "are duty-bound to vote, and they should lead by example to let the public know about the importance of voting."{{Cite web |date=2023-11-18 |title=Hong Kong civil servants ‘are duty-bound to vote in district council election’ |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3242019/hong-kongs-170000-civil-servants-are-duty-bound-vote-district-council-election-2-senior-officials |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}} However, Chan said there were no performance goals for voter turnout. Chan later changed his tone and said it would be a pity if turnout was low.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-02 |title=Can Hong Kong’s John Lee get voters out casting ballots for coming district poll? |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3243635/can-hong-kongs-john-lee-drum-battle-ballots-district-council-election-december-10 |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

Before the vote, Chan said that "If turnout is low, can the elected councillor really represent the district?" and later, the elections received the lowest voter turnout after 1997.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=James |date=2023-12-09 |title=Get out the vote: Official efforts to encourage Hongkongers to cast their ballots in 'patriots' District Council race |url=http://hongkongfp.com/2023/12/09/get-out-the-vote-official-efforts-to-encourage-hongkongers-to-cast-their-ballots-in-patriots-district-council-race/ |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}

== Strive and Rise Program ==

In August 2022, Chan announced the "Strive and Rise Program" to give 2,000 students a HK$10,000 subsidy and mentorship;{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Almond |date=2022-08-22 |title=Politics to play no part in programme helping underprivileged students, Hong Kong chief secretary says |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/08/22/politics-to-play-no-part-in-programme-helping-underprivileged-students-hong-kong-chief-secretary-says/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}} the program was quickly criticized as "poorly conceived".{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Mentors scheme 'poorly conceived' |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/244916/Mentors-scheme-%27poorly-conceived%27 |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The Standard |language=en}}

== Taiwan ==

In August 2022, Chan criticized Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, claiming it "seriously undermined China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and constituted a gross interference in the country's internal affairs".{{Cite web |last=Leung |first=Hillary |date=2022-08-03 |title='Gross interference': Hong Kong top officials, gov't departments, lawmakers condemn Nancy Pelosi's Taiwan visit |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/08/03/gross-interference-hong-kong-top-officials-govt-departments-lawmakers-condemn-nancy-pelosis-taiwan-visit/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}} Chan and other government officials were criticized by Lew Mon-hung for "crossing the line" with his statements on Taiwan, as the Basic Law stipulates that diplomatic affairs of Hong Kong are to be handled by mainland China's Foreign Ministry.{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=HK shouldn't 'snatch' but attract overseas talents: Lew Mon-hung |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/193818/HK-shouldn%27t-%27snatch%27-but-attract-overseas-talents:-Lew-Mon-hung |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-08-24 |title=Poor communication is costing Hong Kong government public trust |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3189829/poor-communication-over-taiwan-press-freedom-and-2019-protests |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

== COVID-19 ==

On 10 October 2022, Chan defended the "0+3" measure for inbound travelers to Hong Kong despite calls to remove all restrictions, and said it was "the most appropriate arrangement" and was "an important step made after thorough thinking, involving detailed discussion inside the government, consultation with experts and analysis of various statistics."{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Peter |date=2022-10-10 |title=Covid-19: Hong Kong gov't asked to approve Omicron vaccine; expert urges public not to wait to get 4th jab |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/10/covid-19-hong-kong-govt-asked-to-approve-omicron-vaccine-expert-urges-public-not-to-wait-to-get-4th-jab/ |access-date=2022-10-10 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}

On 5 October 2022, legislative council member Doreen Kong criticized the government and Lo Chung-mau for invalidating 20,000 COVID-19 vaccine exemption passes, stating that he had no legal authority to do so. Kong had sharply criticized the annulment in a Facebook post the day before, writing "Who is destroying the rule of law now?"{{Cite web |title=Lawmaker questions govt's legal basis to invalidate suspected fraudulent jab exemptions |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/195471/Lawmaker-questions-govt%E2%80%99s-legal-basis-to-invalidate-suspected-fraudulent-jab-exemptions |date=2022-10-05|access-date=2022-10-11 |website=The Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Kelly |date=2022-10-05 |title=Hong Kong lawmaker questions legal basis of invalidating Covid-19 jab exemptions from arrested doctors |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/05/hong-kong-lawmaker-questions-legal-basis-of-invalidating-covid-19-jab-exemptions-from-arrested-doctors/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}} Chan defended the government and said it was "sensible and reasonable" in its decision, and that the use of the passes would risk people's health and cause "unnecessary pressure" on hospitals.{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=Kelly |date=2022-10-11 |title=Hong Kong court to hear challenge against annulling Covid-19 jab exemptions from arrested doctors |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/11/hong-kong-court-to-hear-challenge-against-annulling-covid-19-jab-exemptions-from-arrested-doctors/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}} On 11 October 2022, the High Court temporary stopped Lo's invalidation of the vaccine exemption passes.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Almond |date=2022-10-11 |title=Hong Kong court blocks gov't from invalidating Covid-19 jab exemptions issued by arrested doctors |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2022/10/11/hong-kong-court-blocks-govt-from-invalidating-covid-19-jab-exemptions-issued-by-arrested-doctors/ |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}}

== Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit ==

On 29 October 2022, after members of the US Congress asked US-based financial executives to reconsider going to the Global Financial Leaders' Investment Summit, Chan said "This shows the US and other Western countries are using all extreme means to suppress China, including Hong Kong."{{Cite web |date=2022-10-29 |title=Top Hong Kong official slams US politicians over banker summit threats |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3197703/hong-kong-no-2-official-eric-chan-slams-us-politicians-over-warnings-bankers-set-attend-global |access-date=2022-10-29 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

== Talents Service Unit ==

In December 2022, Chan said "We are confident that we can attract at least 35,000 talented professionals every year for the next three years."{{Cite web |date=2022-12-23 |title=Hong Kong to cast 'far wider net than that of Singapore' in talent push |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3204420/applications-open-next-wednesday-top-talent-eager-work-hong-kong-officials-vow-4-week-vetting-period |access-date=2022-12-26 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

== Jimmy Lai ==

In December 2022, the NPCSC ruled that the Chief Executive could block foreign lawyers from representing defendants in national security cases, after Jimmy Lai attempted to hire UK lawyer Tim Owen.{{Cite web |last=Chau |first=Candice |date=2023-01-06 |title=Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao criticised by No. 2 official over comic strip about Beijing ruling on security law |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2023/01/06/hong-kong-newspaper-ming-pao-criticised-by-no-2-official-over-comic-strip-about-beijing-ruling-on-security-law/ |access-date=2023-01-06 |website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP |language=en-GB}} In January 2023, Ming Pao newspaper published a comic that said the NPCSC "only confirmed that the chief executive and the committee could do whatever they want."

In reaction, Chan said the government "deeply regretted" the comic, which made "biased, misleading, and false accusations" to the "constitutional responsibility of the chief executive to safeguard national security." Chan also said "It is completely wrong and misleading for the comic to depict the NPCSC interpretation as allowing the chief executive to do 'whatever he wants'," and also said "The interpretation abided by the principle of the rule of law, and did not harm the court's independent judiciary power or basic human rights such as the right to a fair trial."

Awards

In 2001, Chan was awarded the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal. In 2009, he received the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service (IDSM).

Personal life

Chan's wife tested positive for COVID-19, and Chan was sent to compulsory quarantine on 21 June 2022; Chan later tested positive for it.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-23 |title=2 top Hong Kong officials contract Covid, raising concerns over state leader visit |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3182787/coronavirus-hong-kong-logs-over-1000-cases-ninth |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}

Chan and his family own 3 properties.{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Financial Services Secretary tops the interests declaration with seven properties |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/section/4/193376/Financial-Services-Secretary-tops-the-interests-declaration-with-seven-properties |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=The Standard |language=en}}

Chan is a voting member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=The |title=Crunch looms in rare race to join the club |url=https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/4/244870/Crunch-looms-in-rare-race-to-join-the-club |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=The Standard |language=en}}

Notes

{{notefoot}}

References

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-gov}}

{{s-new}}

{{s-ttl|title=Secretary-General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security|years=2020–2022}}

{{s-vac}}

{{s-bef|before=Edward Yau}}

{{s-ttl|title=Director of the Chief Executive's Office|years=2017–2022}}

{{s-aft|after =Carol Yip}}

{{s-bef|before=Simon Peh}}

{{s-ttl|title=Director of Immigration|years=2011–2016}}

{{s-aft|after =Erick Tsang}}

{{s-prec}}

{{s-bef|before = Carrie Lam
Former Chief Executive}}

{{s-ttl|title = Hong Kong order of precedence
Chief Secretary for Administration}}

{{s-aft|after = Paul Chan Mo-po
Financial Secretary}}

{{end}}

{{HKExco}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chan, Eric}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:Government officials of Hong Kong

Category:Recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star

Category:Individuals sanctioned by the United States under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act