Hong Kong’s next leader John Lee reveals hiccups in forming team, with some candidates deterred by possible foreign sanctions

Chief Executive-elect John Lee Ka-chiu has opened up about his efforts to select ministers, revealing some candidates approached were deterred by possible foreign sanctions, while he had to turn down other names put forward to him.

Lee on Sunday confirmed on a radio programme he had someone in mind for the chief secretary position, the city’s No 2 spot, but declined to divulge a name as he did not want to put the individual under pressure. He also vowed to improve coordination among top officials and the measuring of public sentiment.

With less than seven weeks before he is sworn in as chief executive on July 1, Lee said he had yet to make a final decision on the composition of his team, as he was forming a candidate list and in discussion with colleagues. He noted that the ministers would face different challenges ahead, as they needed to get around foreign sanctions.

“They will face different pressures, given the complexities in international relations. Hong Kong has often become the target of US-China relations,” Lee said, adding some people might have reservations about joining his team. “There is a little effect [from the possible sanctions]. But most of them seem to be passionate about this. I am happy to see that.

“Although some candidates are also talented, their areas of expertise are not aligned with my policy directions. This is also one of the considerations.”

He added he would set key performance indicators on different projects, with priority on his new “mobilisation protocol” for emergencies, and a programme to ease cross-generational poverty involving 1,000 students living in subdivided flats.

“We need to be selective, as I do not want to see us overwhelmed by KPIs,” he said. “The focus will be on different projects, instead of individuals.”