Beijing Promotes Security Officials to Senior Roles in Hong Kong

(L-R) New Commissioner of Police, Raymond Siu Chak-yee, Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu and Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung pose for a photo with Chief Executive Carrie Lam after taking the oath of office in Hong Kong, China June 25, 2021. Information Services Department/Handout via Reuters

The Chinese regime approved the promotion of Hong Kong security secretary John Lee to chief secretary on June 25, while police chief Chris Tang, 55, will take Lee’s position in what critics say will further tighten Beijing’s security squeeze on the global financial hub.

The elevation of Lee, 63, a former police deputy commissioner, to chief secretary is the first time a security specialist has taken on the No. 2 position in the territory since Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.