Hong Kong’s Top Security Official Set to Become City’s No. 2

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong’s top security official is poised to take over the government’s No. 2 spot in a cabinet reshuffle, in the latest sign that a crackdown on dissent is central to China’s long-term plans for the Asian financial center.

Security Secretary John Lee -- a former long-time police official -- will be promoted to chief secretary, replacing Matthew Cheung, local media including Sing Tao Daily and the South China Morning Post reported. The move comes just before the one-year anniversary of Beijing imposing a sweeping national security law on the former British colony and days after Lee led the city’s push to shut down the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper.

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Police Commissioner Chris Tang will take over Lee’s position, the reports say. The moves could could come as soon as Friday, Sing Tao reported, pending final approval from the State Council, the Chinese government’s cabinet.

Lee was the most prominent Hong Kong official accusing Apple Daily, which is owned by the now-jailed media tycoon and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, of violating the security law. The newspaper’s closure was condemned by U.S. President Joe Biden, who called it a “sad day for media freedom in Hong Kong and around the world.”

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China has been moving to stifle dissent in the former British colony since the security legislation was enacted on June 30 last year. This week Beijing effectively shuttered the city’s biggest newspaper critical of the government as part of efforts to tighten its grip on the media scene, while the first trial under the national security law got underway. Earlier this year, China revamped the election system to curtail the opposition’s ability to participate in government.

Senior appointments are made at the recommendation of the Hong Kong government, but need final approval from Beijing.

Trump Sanctions

Lee, one of several Hong Kong officials sanctioned by the Trump administration for their role in implementing the security law, has been an ardent backer of the legislation. He’s pushed for harsh punishments for those alleged to have violated the law’s prohibitions on subversion, terrorism, secession and collusion with foreign forces.

In a press conference following the arrest of five top Apple Daily executives last week, Lee said Hong Kongers need to distance themselves from the suspects or “you will pay a hefty price.”

He earlier warned that prominent Hong Kong activists who had fled overseas to evade the security law -- such as former politicians Nathan Law and Ted Hui -- would be pursued for life.

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Lee has sought to broaden the scope of the security law by formally stating that police surveillance of communications comes under its scope, potentially giving the authorities broader powers to intercept information.

Two of the city’s four chief executives served as chief secretary before getting the top job.

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