The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Monday announced the appointment of Janice Tse Siu-wa as secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, following the State Council’s approval of her nomination earlier in the day.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said at a media briefing that the appointment comes “at a crucial time”, as the HKSAR government begins drafting the city’s first five-year plan — a blueprint of “major significance for Hong Kong’s future”.
“Tse’s leadership will be vital in coordinating cross-bureau collaboration and ensuring alignment between Hong Kong’s development strategies and the country’s overall development direction,” Lee said.
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A veteran civil servant with more than 30 years’ public service, Tse said she aims to finish drafting Hong Kong’s first five-year plan by the end of 2026. She emphasized that her extensive administrative experience and strong communication with various sectors will help drive the city’s development goals.
Lee commended Tse’s long record in public administration, noting her deep understanding of government operations and wide network across the Legislative Council and community sectors.
Tse succeeds Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, who resigned in January due to health reasons. Tse pledged that the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will continue ensuring that major elections — including those for the Election Committee, Chief Executive, and District Councils scheduled for 2027 — are conducted in a “fair, just, and safe manner”.
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The new secretary also said the bureau would step up patriotic education and enhance exchanges between Hong Kong deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, in support of the city’s deeper integration into national development.
Born in Hong Kong, Tse joined the government in 1987 as an executive officer and later served as a labor officer. She previously served as Director of Home Affairs, and as Permanent Secretary for the Environment in 2022, before beginning pre-retirement leave in early 2025.
