Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor addresses a press briefing on her government’s investigation into the conduct of high-ranking officials, at the Central Government Offices in the city on Jan 31, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – The resignation of a senior government official on Monday for poor conduct at an omicron-hit birthday party showed officials being held accountable for their actions, Chief Executive  Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said on Monday.

The official in question, Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui, tendered his resignation on Monday and intended to leave his post the same day.  

Tsui was among 15 government officials who attended a birthday party held on Jan 3. One of the guests later tested positive for COVID-19. Subsequently, Tsui was ordered to undergo quarantine at the government’s facility, Penny’s Bay Quarantine Center.  

Tsui is one of the principal officials in Hong Kong whose appointments require the approval of the central government. Lam said she had accepted Tsui’s resignation and she had informed the central government of her recommendation to remove Tsui from his post.

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Citing the code of conduct for politically appointed officials, Lam said such officials should observe the highest standards of personal conduct and integrity at all times and should promote such principles by example.  

Tsui failed to meet these standards and showed a lack of political sensitivity. Lam said Tsui’s resignation demonstrated the political accountability system was at work in Hong Kong, as a high-ranking official was held accountable for his actions.  

Lam made the remarks at a press briefing Monday afternoon to announce the results of the government’s investigation into the 15 officials at the birthday party.  

The party took place at a time when the city had recorded no locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the earlier months. Many social distancing measures were relaxed until the government tightened them again on Jan 5. The change came after the first omicron infection was detected in the city at the end of December. Since then, Hong Kong has witnessed an increasing number of new cases and has been trying to contain clusters of community transmissions.  

The government held two high-level meetings on Dec 31 and Jan 3 to discuss the introduction of more stringent social distancing policies. Lam noted that Tsui attended both meetings, as the Department for Home Affairs Tsui was heading is one of the most important government bureaus responsible for anti-pandemic efforts.  

Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui Ying-wai speaks at the Chiming Ceremony to Commemorate the Centenary of the Former Kowloon-Canton Railway Clock Tower Bell on Dec 9, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Tsui should have led by example to practice strict social distancing at that time. Instead, he attended the birthday party on Jan 3, stayed there for an extended period of time and failed to comply with the mask-wearing requirement at all times except when eating. His conduct was disappointing for a principal official, and his decision to resign was understandable, Lam concluded. 

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Tsui first joined the government in 2008 at the age of 31 and served in different posts since then. Lam spoke of Tsui as a diligent colleague who was dedicated to serving the public. She believed that Tsui had learned a lesson from the incident and expressed the hope that after leaving the government, he will continue to serve the community. 

Besides Tsui, two other officials will receive verbal warnings for their actions at and after the party.  

As one of the Principal Officials taking the lead in the anti-epidemic fight, I have not set the best example during the recent outbreak.

Caspar Tsui, Secretary for Home Affairs, HKSAR

Apart from the three who face disciplinary actions, the investigation found no fault with the conduct of 12 other officials who attended the party.  

Lam said all other officials present at the virus-hit banquet had legitimate reasons in their official capacity to attend the event, as part of their duties to maintain contact with various sectors of society and seek collaboration with and feedback from the community. It is understood that the 12 officials attended the party in order to make a brief social call. Most arrived early. A few arrived after 9 pm. All left soon after arriving.

The Health and Environmental Hygiene Department is conducting a separate investigation into the possible violations of social distancing measures by other guests at the party and by the restaurant that hosted it. Lam said she had urged the department to carry out the investigation vigorously and inform the public of the results in an expedient manner. 

In a statement, Tsui said he “made the wrong decision” in going to the banquet, which was attended by more than 200 people, including one who later tested positive for COVID-19. 

“As one of the Principal Officials taking the lead in the anti-epidemic fight, I have not set the best example during the recent outbreak,” he said.  

“I made the wrong decision to attend a banquet on January 3 and behaved in an inappropriate manner when all efforts should have been devoted to controlling the spread of the virus.” 

He expressed gratitude for getting the opportunity to serve in government and thanked the CE, his colleagues and friends for their support and guidance.

*Wang Zhan also contributed to this report

Contact the writer at williamxu@chinadailyhk.com