View source for Chief Executive of Hong Kong

{{Short description|Head of government of Hong Kong}}
{{Use Hong Kong English|date = August 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox Political post
| post = Chief Executive
| body = the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hant|香港特別行政區行政長官}}}}
| insignia = Regional Emblem of Hong Kong.svg
| insigniasize = 100px
| insigniacaption = [[Emblem of Hong Kong]]
| imagesize = 200px
| image = File:Inmediahk - John Lee 2023 (cropped).jpg
| incumbent = [[John Lee Ka-chiu]]
| incumbentsince = 1 July 2022
| residence = [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]]
| style = {{ubl|Chief Executive (特首)<br />(informal)|[[The Honourable]] (尊貴的)<br />(formal)}}
| type = [[Head of government]]
| nominator = [[Election Committee]]
| appointer = [[State Council of China]] (Decree signed by [[Premier of China|Premier]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Government Structure|url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/government_structure.pdf|publisher=Hong Kong: The Fact|access-date=6 October 2017|date=September 2017|archive-date=6 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006112945/https://www.gov.hk/en/about/abouthk/factsheets/docs/government_structure.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| termlength = 5 years
| constituting_instrument = [[Hong Kong Basic Law]]
| formation = {{start date and age|1997|07|1|df=y}}
| salary = {{HKD|5,630,000}}<ref>https://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news/article/223687/Top-officials-annual-salaries-add-up-to-over-HK180-million</ref>
| inaugural = [[Tung Chee-hwa]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.ceo.gov.hk/en|ceo.gov.hk/en}}
| termlength_qualified = Re-electable for another maximum 5-year term
| member_of = [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]]
| department = [[Government of Hong Kong]]<br />[[Office of the Chief Executive]]
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| t = 香港特別行政區行政長官
| s = 香港特别行政区行政长官
| p = Xiānggǎng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū Xíngzhèng Zhǎngguān
| w = Hsiang1-kang3 Tʻê4-pieh2 Hsing2-cheng4-chü1 Hsing2-cheng2 Chang3-kuan1
| y = Hēunggóng Dahkbiht Hàngjingkēui Hàngjing Jéunggūn
| ci = {{IPA|yue|hœ́ŋ.kɔ̌ŋ tɐ̀k̚.pìt̚ hɐ̏ŋ.tsēŋ.kʰɵ́y hɐ̏ŋ.tsēŋ tsœ̌ŋ.kún|}}
| j = Hoeng1gong2 Dak6bit6 Hang4zing3keoi1 Hang4zing3 Zoeng2gun1
| altname = Commonly abbreviated as
| c2 = {{lang|zh-hk|香港特首}}
| p2 = Xiānggǎng Tèshǒu
| w2 = Hsianf1-kang3 Tʻê4-shou3
| y2 = Hēunggóng Dahksáu
| ci2 = {{IPA|yue|hœ́ŋ.kɔ̌ŋ tɐ̀k̚.sɐ̌u|}}
}}

{{Politics of Hong Kong}}

The '''chief executive''' <!-- DO NOT capitalise until consensus is obtained to go against the MOS. MOS:JOBTITLES says this should NOT be capitalised. It doesn't matter that the Basic Law capitalises it; that is true for almost every political office in the world. -->'''of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region''' is the representative of the [[Hong Kong]] [[Special administrative regions of China|Special Administrative Region]] and [[head of government|head]] of the [[Government of Hong Kong]].

The position was created to replace the office of [[Governor of Hong Kong]], the representative of the [[monarchy of the United Kingdom|Monarch of the United Kingdom]] during [[British Hong Kong|British colonial rule]].<ref name="infobill">"[http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/199907/14/0714182.htm Bill 1999]." Info.gov.hk. Retrieved 28 March 2010.</ref> The office, as stipulated by the [[Hong Kong Basic Law]], formally came into being on 1 July 1997 with the [[handover of Hong Kong]] from the [[United Kingdom]] to the [[China|People's Republic of China]]. The chief executive is head of the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]] of the Hong Kong government.

The functions of the chief executive include nominating [[Principal officials of Hong Kong|principal officials]] for appointment by the [[State Council of China]], which is headed by the [[Premier of China|premier]], conducting [[Foreign relations of Hong Kong|foreign relations]], appointing [[Judiciary of Hong Kong|judges]] and other public officers, giving consent to [[legislation]] passed by the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]], and bestowing [[Hong Kong honours system|honours]]. The Basic Law grants the chief executive a wide range of powers, but obliges him or her, before making important policy decisions, introducing bills to the Legislative Council, making subsidiary legislation, and dissolving the Legislative Council, to [[Chief Executive-in-Council|act only after consultation]] with the [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] (all of whose members are the CE's own appointees).<ref>Article 56, Hong Kong Basic Law.</ref> The executive council consists of official and non-official members, including the [[Chief Secretary for Administration]], the most senior official and head of the [[Government Secretariat (Hong Kong)|Government Secretariat]], in charge of overseeing the administration of the Government. The Chief Executive holds the title "[[The Honourable]]", and ranks first in the [[Hong Kong order of precedence]].<ref>"[http://www.protocol.gov.hk/images/eng/precedence/prelist.pdf Precedence list] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122154232/http://www.protocol.gov.hk/images/eng/precedence/prelist.pdf |date=22 November 2009 }}." Protocol.gov.hk. Retrieved 28 March 2010.</ref> The official residence of the chief executive is [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]] in [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]], [[Hong Kong Island]].

The current chief executive is [[John Lee Ka-chiu|John Lee]] selected as chief executive in the [[2022 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2022 election]], appointed by the Chinese State Council with the designation decree signed by Premier [[Li Keqiang]] on 30 May 2022 and took office on 1 July 2022.  Lee is the fifth chief executive of Hong Kong; each of his four predecessors are still living.

== Eligibility for office ==
According to article 44 of the Basic Law, the chief executive must be a [[Chinese nationality law|Chinese citizen]] as defined by the HKSAR Passports Ordinance.<ref name="basiclaw">"[http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/images/Basic_Law.pdf HK Basic law] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225073814/http://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclawtext/images/Basic_Law.pdf |date=25 February 2012 }}." Basiclaw.org.hk. Retrieved 28 March 2010.</ref><ref name="eacnorm">"[http://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/chief/en/2007_CE_Guidelines/CE_Chap03.pdf Nomination of Candidates]" {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225034722/http://www.eac.gov.hk/pdf/chief/en/2007_CE_Guidelines/CE_Chap03.pdf |date=25 February 2012 }}." HK Electoral Affairs Commission. Retrieved 28 March 2010.</ref> The individual must be at least 40 years old, a [[Hong Kong resident|Hong Kong permanent resident]] who is a Chinese citizen with [[right of abode in Hong Kong]], and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 20 years.<ref name="basiclaw"/> Article 47 further requires that the chief executive be a person of integrity, dedicated to his or her duties.<ref name="basiclaw" /> In addition, candidates are ineligible to stand for selection by the [[Election Committee]] without first obtaining nominations from one eighth of its total members.

==Selection==
{{main|Elections in Hong Kong}}
The specific method for selecting the chief executive is prescribed in Annex I of the Basic Law. The [[Election Committee]] shall be composed of 1500 members from the following sectors pursuant to the amended Annex I under the [[2021 Hong Kong electoral changes]] initiated by the [[National People's Congress]]. The Election Committee consists of individuals (i.e. private citizens) and representatives of bodies (i.e. special interest groups or corporate bodies) selected or elected by 40 prescribed sub-sectors as stipulated in Annex I to the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]].

===Election Committee===
{{main|Election Committee}}

The [[Election Committee (Hong Kong)|Election Committee]] is responsible for the nomination of chief executive candidates and election of the chief executive-elect. Under the [[2021 Hong Kong electoral changes]] initiated by the [[National People's Congress]], each candidate running for chief executive elections is to be nominated by at least 188 members of the [[Election Committee (Hong Kong)|Election Committee]], before their eligibility is reviewed and confirmed by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee of the HKSAR. The chief executive-designate is then returned by the Election Committee with an absolute majority.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chief Executive Election Ordinance (Cap. 569) |url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap569 |website=Hong Kong e-Legislation |access-date=4 February 2022}}</ref>

The Election Committee is now principally elected by body voters. The number of subsectors with individual votes were significantly reduced, together with elimination of mixed individual and body voting:
* Half of seats (150 seats) in Sector III are nominated by members of national professional organisations or filled by ex officio members;
* District Council subsectors were replaced by subsectors consisting of government-appointed representatives of members of Area Committees, District Fight Crime Committees, and District Fire Safety Committees;
* All NPC and CPPCC sectors serve as ex officio EC members; and
* subsectors consisting of grassroot organisations, associations of Chinese Fellow Townsmen, associations of Hong Kong residents in Mainland and Hong Kong members of relevant national organisations were introduced.

{|class="wikitable"
! width=70% | Sector
! width=30% | Members<ref name="HKbasicalaw">HK basic law web pdf. "[http://www.info.gov.hk/basic_law/fulltext/Basic_Law.pdf HK basic law]." ''The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative region of the People's Republic of China.'' Retrieved on 8 January 2007.</ref>
|-
| Industrial, commercial and financial sectors || 300
|-
| The professions || 300
|-
| Agricultural, labour, religious, Chinese social and townspeople organisations || 300
|-
| Members of the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]], representatives of government and mainlanders' organisations || 300
|-
| HKSAR deputies to the [[National People's Congress]], the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference|National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]], and representatives of Hong Kong members of Chinese national organisations || 300
|-
| '''Total''' || 1,500
|}

===Chief Executive elections===
Chief Executive candidates must receive nominations by at least 188 members of the [[Election Committee (Hong Kong)|Election Committee]], with nomination by at least 15 members of each sector of the Election Committee. Candidacy is confirmed upon review and confirmation of eligibility by the Candidate Qualification Review Committee, according to opinions issued by the [[Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region]] on the basis of a review by the National Security Department of the [[Hong Kong Police Force]] on whether a candidate meets the legal requirements and conditions of upholding the Basic Law and swearing allegiance to the HKSAR of [[China|the People's Republic of China]].

The Chief Executive-designate is then returned by the Election Committee with an absolute majority in a two-round system:<ref name="Hong Kong e-Legislation">{{cite web|title=Cap. 569 Chief Executive Election Ordinance|url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap569!en?INDEX_CS=N&xpid=ID_1438403454708_002|work=Hong Kong e-Legislation}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! [[Uncontested election]]
! colspan="2" | Contested election
|-
| rowspan="3" | Election Committee casts votes of support/not support;
the chief executive-designate is to be returned with an absolutely majority (>750 valid votes)
| colspan="2" | Election Committee casts votes for 1 of the candidates;<br /> the chief executive-designate is to be returned with an absolute majority (>750 valid votes)
|-
| ''If absolute majority won''
| ''If absolute majority not won''
|-
| Candidate with an absolutely majority of valid votes elected
|If:
1. more than 2 candidates obtain the highest and the same no. of votes; or <br />2. no candidates win an absolute majority

Then:
* elimination of candidates other than those who obtained the highest number of votes in (1) or candidates with the highest and second highest number of votes in (2); 
* second round(s) of voting conducted, until a candidate with an absolutely majority (>750 valid votes) is elected 
|}

The chief executive-designate must publicly disaffiliate with a political party within seven days of the election and must not become a member of a party during their term of office.<ref name="Hong Kong e-Legislation"/> The chief executive-designate is then appointed by the [[Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China|Central People's Government]] of the [[China|People's Republic of China]] before taking office.

===Electoral reform===
In the [[1996 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|first selection]] of the chief executive, the committee consisted of only 400 members. It was expanded to 800 for the [[2002 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|second term]].<ref>Chan, Ming K. [1997] (1997). The Challenge of Hong Kong's Reintegration With China. Hong Kong University Press. Hong Kong (China). {{ISBN|962-209-441-4}}.</ref><ref>"[http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ushk_pa_2000040101.html United States Hong Kong Policy Act Report.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527120916/http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ushk_pa_2000040101.html |date=27 May 2010 }}. US Consulate Hong Kong. Retrieved 28 March 2010.</ref> As a result of enabling legislation stemming from a [[Consultation Document on the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive and for Forming the LegCo in 2012|public consultation in 2010]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.news.gov.hk/isd/ebulletin/en/category/administration/100629/html/100629en01003.htm |title=Consent signed for draft Basic Law amendments |date=29 June 2010 |website=Admin & Civic Affairs |publisher=Government of Hong Kong}}</ref> and its approval by the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress|National People's Congress Standing Committee]] in Beijing, the number of representatives was increased from 800 to 1200.<ref>Lee, Diana (30 August 2010) [http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=102302&sid=29411525&con_type=1&d_str=20100830&sear_year=2010 "Electoral changes nearer as NPC gives green light"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011074105/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=102302&sid=29411525&con_type=1&d_str=20100830&sear_year=2010 |date=11 October 2012 }}</ref> Following the electoral reform initiated by the Chinese government in 2021 to increase mainland-Chinese controls on Hong Kong, the number of representatives was increased to 1500 but most are appointed or [[Ex officio member|ex-officio]] seats.

===Term===
According to [[Hong Kong Basic Law Article 46|article 46]] the term of office of the chief executive is five years with a maximum of two consecutive terms.<ref name="basiclaw" /> If a vacancy occurs mid-term, the new Chief Executive's first term is for the remainder of the previous Chief Executive's term only. The method of selecting the chief executive is provided under [[Hong Kong Basic Law Article 45|Article 45]] and Annex I of the Basic Law, and the Chief Executive Election Ordinance.<ref name="basiclaw" />

==Term of office==

===Duties and powers===
Under the Basic Law the chief executive is the chief representative of the [[Hongkonger|people of Hong Kong]] and is the [[head of the government]] of Hong Kong. The Chief Executive's powers and functions include leading the government, implementing the law, signing bills and budgets passed by the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]], deciding on government policies, advising appointment and dismissal of principal officials of the [[Government of Hong Kong]] to the [[State Council of China|Central People's Government of China]], appointing judges and holders of certain public offices and to pardon or [[commutation of sentence|commute]] sentences. The position is also responsible for the [[Policy address of Hong Kong|policy address]] made to the public.<ref>Article 43, Hong Kong Basic Law: "The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and shall represent the Region"</ref>

The chief executive's powers and functions are established by article 48 of the Basic Law.

The [[Executive Council of Hong Kong]] is an organ for assisting the chief executive in policy-making.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ceo.gov.hk/exco/eng/index.htm |title=Executive Council |website=Executive Council |access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> The council is consulted before making important policy decisions, introducing bills to the Legislative Council, making subordinate legislation or dissolving the Legislative Council.

===Resignation===
{{Main|Hong Kong Basic Law Article 46#Resignation and Impeachment}}

Article 52 of the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]] stipulates that the Chief Executive must resign when:
*the Chief Executive loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons;
*the Chief Executive refuses to sign a bill passed by a two-thirds majority of a re-elected [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]], after the Legislative Council is dissolved; or
*the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] refuses to pass the [[Government budget|budget]] or any other important bill for a second time after the Legislative Council is dissolved.

===Impeachment===
{{Main|Impeachment and no-confidence motions in Hong Kong}}

The [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] has the power to propose a motion of impeachment of the chief executive for decision by the Central People's Government of China, with the following steps as stipulated in article 73(9) of the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter 4 of the Basic Law of HKSAR |url=https://www.basiclaw.gov.hk/en/basiclaw/chapter4.html |website=Basic Law |access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>

* One-fourth of all [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] (LegCo) members can jointly initiate a motion, charging the chief executive with serious breach of law or dereliction of duty;
* the motion for investigation passed by simple majority of votes of each of the two groups of members present;{{NoteTag|First Group: Members returned by the [[Election Committee of Hong Kong|Election Committee]]; 
Second Group: Members returned by [[Functional constituency (Hong Kong)|Functional Constituencies]] and by [[Geographical constituency|Geographical Constituencies]].}}
* the [[Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal]] is mandated to form and chair an independent investigation committee for carrying out the investigation and reporting its findings to LegCo;
* the independent investigation committee considers the evidence sufficient to substantiate such charges;
* a two-thirds majority of all LegCo members passes the motion of impeachment;
* the motion of impeachment is reported to the Central People's Government of China for decision.

===Acting and succession===
The acting and succession line is spelled out in article 53. If the chief executive is not able to discharge his or her duties for short periods (such as during overseas visits), the duties would be assumed by the [[Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong|chief secretary for administration]], the [[Financial Secretary of Hong Kong|financial secretary]] or the [[secretary for justice]], by rotation, in that order, as acting chief executive.<ref name="basiclaw" /> In case the position becomes vacant, a new chief executive would have to be selected.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Acting Chief Executive's opening statement |date=12 March 2005 |publisher=Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200503/12/03120300.htm |access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref>

===Residence and office===
[[File:HK Government House 2005.jpg|thumb|right|[[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]], official residence of the chief executive]]
Prior to the [[Handover of Hong Kong|handover in 1997]], the office of the chief executive-designate was at the seventh floor of the Asia Pacific Finance Tower.<ref>Legco.gov.hk. "[http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr97-98/english/fc/fc/minutes/fcmn2307.htm HEAD 21 – CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S OFFICE]." Retrieved on 28 March 2010.</ref> When [[Tung Chee-hwa]] assumed duty on 1 July 1997, the office of the chief executive was located at the fifth floor of the [[Former Central Government Offices]] (Main Wing).<ref>Harbourdistrict.com.hk. "[http://www.harbourdistrict.com.hk/enews/20041118/CruiseTerminals_final_v3.pdf Harbourdistrict.com.hk]." ''Sample letter with address.'' Retrieved on 28 March 2010.</ref> In the past the governor had his office at [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]]. Tung did not use Government House as the primary residence because he lived at his own residence at [[Grenville House]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://theater.nytimes.com/specials/hongkong/archive/121296hongkong-leader.html |title=Tung Chee-hwa: Shipping Tycoon Chosen to Govern Hong Kong |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> [[Donald Tsang]] decided to return to the renovated Government House during his [[First term of Donald Tsang as Chief Executive of Hong Kong|first term]], and moved in on 12 January 2006, for both his office and residence.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=CE moves into Government House today |date=12 January 2006 |publisher=The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200601/12/P200601110210.htm |access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> In 2011, the office of the chief executive moved to the low block of the new [[Central Government Complex]] in [[Tamar, Hong Kong|Tamar]]. Government House continues to serve as the official residence of the Chief Executive.

==Former chief executives==
Upon retirement, former Chief Executives have access to office space at the Office of Former Chief Executives, 28 [[Kennedy Road, Hong Kong|Kennedy Road]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/61422138@N04/7042580161/ |script-title=zh:28 Kennedy Road 堅尼地道28號 / 皇仁書院 / 金文泰中學 圖說香港歷史建築|work=Flickr|date=3 April 2012|access-date=4 October 2014}}</ref> The office provides administrative support to former Chief Executives to perform promotional, protocol-related, or any other activities in relation to their former official role. The activities include receiving visiting dignitaries and delegations, giving local and overseas media interviews, and taking part in speaking engagements.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/links/fceo.htm|title=Administration Wing, Chief Secretary for Administration's Office – Office of Former Chief Executives|date=17 January 2011|access-date=4 October 2014}}</ref> A chauffeur-driven car is provided to discharge promotional and protocol-related functions.

Depending on police risk assessment, personal security protection is provided. Former Chief Executives also enjoy medical and dental care.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=HKSAR Government adopts report by Independent Commission on Remuneration Package for CE |date=14 June 2005 |publisher=Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau |url=http://www.cmab.gov.hk/en/press/press_351.htm |access-date=4 October 2014}}</ref>

Former Chief Executives hold the title "The Honourable", and rank third in the [[Hong Kong order of precedence]].

==Remuneration==
Remuneration for the chief executive of Hong Kong is [[List of salaries of heads of state and government|among the highest in the world for a political leader]], and only second to that of the [[prime minister of Singapore]]. The pay level took a cue from the handsome amounts paid to the city's [[Governor of Hong Kong|colonial governors]] – worth $273,000 per annum plus perks in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://qz.com/331191/hong-kongs-little-loved-leader-is-one-of-the-worlds-best-paid-politicians/ |title=Hong Kong's little-loved leader is one of the world's best-paid politicians |last=Timmons |first=Heather |date=23 January 2015 |website=Quartz}}</ref>

In 2005, [[Tung Chee Hwa]] received some HK$3 million ($378,500) in pay as Chief Executive. From 2009 until the end of 2014, the salary for the job stood at HK$4.22 million. In January 2015, [[Leung Chun-ying|Leung Chun-Ying]] reversed a pay freeze imposed in 2012, resulting in its increase to HK$4.61 million ($591,000).<ref name="20150119ejinsight">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ejinsight.com/20150119-leung-under-fire-over-lifting-of-pay-freeze-on-himself-and-top-team/ |title=Leung under fire for lifting pay freeze on himself, top team |date=19 January 2015 |website=Ejinsight}}</ref>

In July 2017, directors of bureaux (DoBs) were approved to have a 12.4% pay rise and the 3.5% pay differential between secretaries of departments (SoDs) and DoBs remained,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Remuneration package for Politically Appointed Officials serving in fifth-term HKSAR Government |date=12 December 2016 |publisher=The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Press Releases |url=http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201612/12/P2016121200324.htm |access-date=2018-02-11}}</ref> indicating a new annual pay of approximately HK$5 million for the city's leading role because the Chief Executive received a salary of 112% of the [[Chief Secretary for Administration|Chief Secretary]]. The new salary of Chief Executive of Hong Kong is about thirty-nine times more than the annual salary of [[President of China]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20170326/bkn-20170326124008398-0326_00822_001.html |title=Lín zhèng dāngxuǎn: Niánxīn jìn 500 wàn yuán xiǎng yōuhòu fúlì |date=26 March 2017 |work=on.cc |access-date=2018-02-11 |language=zh-hk |script-title=zh:林鄭當選：年薪近500萬元 享優厚福利 |trans-title=Lin Zheng elected: annual salary of nearly 5 million yuan, enjoy generous benefits}}</ref>

== Criticism of the office ==
Since the chief executive is directly appointed by the [[State Council of China|Central People's Government of China]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cheung |first=Gary |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/2184174/beijing-says-no-hong-kong-leaders-plan-strengthen-citys |title=Beijing rejects Hong Kong leader's plan to strengthen anti-corruption laws that would target gifts for the chief executive |date=30 January 2019 |work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> after an election by a committee of 1,500 people selected by the Chinese Government, rather than the general population,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2747.htm |title=U.S. Relations With Hong Kong |date=25 February 2016 |website=U.S. Department of State |access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> many people, in particular the [[pro-democracy camp|pro-democrats]], have criticised the office as [[undemocratic]], and have criticised the entire election process as a "small-circle election."<ref>{{Citation |last=Lin |first=Joyce |title=HK-mainland China 1 democracy in the new HK: Is it reality or |date=29 December 2000 |url=http://taiwanauj.nat.gov.tw/fp.asp?xItem=18415&ctNode=122 |work=taiwanauj.nat.gov.tw |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830113333/http://taiwanauj.nat.gov.tw/fp.asp?xItem=18415&ctNode=122 |access-date=28 March 2010 |archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> Former chief executive [[Tung Chee-hwa]] has even stated that the election's result is a non-binding one, saying that the Chinese government would refuse to appoint the winning candidate if that person was unacceptable to them.<ref>"[https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/2072986/beijing-wont-appoint-unacceptable-candidate-even-if-they-win Beijing won’t appoint winner of chief executive race if it finds candidate ‘unacceptable’, elder statesman Tung Chee-hwa warns]" Tung Chee-hwa in ''South China Morning Post'' 20 Jul, 2018</ref>

[[Democratic development in Hong Kong|Many events]], including the [[Five Constituencies Referendum]] in 2010, [[Umbrella Revolution]] in 2014 and [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests|Anti-Extradition Movement]] during 2019–20, have attempted to push for greater democracy and [[universal suffrage]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Diana |url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/archive_news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=91977&sid=26449116&con_type=1&archive_d_str=20091217 |title=DAB is ready to rumble in suffrage polls |date=17 December 2009 |work=The Standard |access-date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150312034426/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/archive_news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=91977&sid=26449116&con_type=1&archive_d_str=20091217 |archive-date=12 March 2015}}</ref>

In January 2015, when [[Leung Chun-ying|Leung Chun-Ying]] reversed a pay freeze imposed on the chief executive and senior civil servants in 2012, he was accused of granting himself a pay rise by stealth and going against the trend of top politicians taking pay cuts instead of pay increases.<ref name="20150119ejinsight"/>

In July 2021, [[Carrie Lam]] refused to remove the [[legal immunity]] of the chief executive in anti-bribery legislation, stating that the officeholder has to be accountable to the [[Government of China|Beijing government]] and hence, extending such provisions to CE would 'sabotage its superior constitutional status'. She was accused of positioning herself above the law whilst going against the principles of [[Separation of powers in Hong Kong|separation of power]] and [[Hong Kong Basic Law|rule of law]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kwan |first=Rhoda |date=2021-07-20 |title=Hong Kong's Carrie Lam seeks refuge from city's anti-bribery laws behind blanket of national security |url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/07/20/hong-kongs-carrie-lam-seeks-refuge-from-citys-anti-bribery-laws-behind-blanket-of-national-security/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=[[Hong Kong Free Press]] HKFP |language=en-GB}}</ref>

== List of Chief Executives ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
! No.
! Portrait
! Name
! colspan="2" |Term of office<hr />Duration in years and days
! Election
! Political alignment
! Term<br /><ref name="num" group="n" />

! Government<br /><small>(supporting parties)</small>
! Appointer<br>{{small|([[Premier of China|Premier]])}}
|{{abbr|{{smaller|Ref.}}|Reference}}
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Nonpartisan}}" |'''1'''  
| rowspan=3|[[File:Tung Chee Hwa (Feb 2011).jpg|90px]]
| rowspan=3|'''[[Tung Chee-hwa]]'''<br /><span style="font-size:125%;">{{lang|zh-hk|董建華}}</span>
<small>(born 1937)</small>
| rowspan=2| {{small|1 July}}<br />1997
| rowspan=2| {{small|12 March}}<br />2005<ref group="n" name="resigned"/>
| [[1996 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|1996]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Pro-Beijing camp|Pro-Beijing]]
| 1
| [[First term of Tung Chee-hwa as Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Tung I]]<br /><small>([[DABHK|DAB]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]])</small>
| [[Li Peng]]
| <ref>{{cite news|title=香港回归|work=中国共产党新闻|url=http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/33837/2535066.html|date=1997-07-01}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| [[2002 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2002]]
| rowspan=3| 2
| rowspan=2| [[Second term of Tung Chee-hwa as Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Tung II]]<br /><small>([[DABHK|DAB]] • [[HKFTU|FTU]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]] • [[The Alliance (Hong Kong)|TA]])</small>
| rowspan=2| [[Zhu Rongji]]
| rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2005-05/23/content_273.htm|title=中华人民共和国国务院令第433号|date=2005-03-12|work=中国政府网}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="font-size:90%; font-weight:normal" | {{Age in years and days|1997|7|1|2005|3|12|duration=on|sep=and}}
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Nonpartisan}}" |'''2'''  
| rowspan=3|[[File:Donald Tsang WEF.jpg|90px]]
| rowspan=3|'''[[Donald Tsang]]'''<br /><span style="font-size:125%;">{{lang|zh-hk|曾蔭權}}</span>
<small>(born 1944)</small>
| rowspan=2| <small>21 June</small><br /> 2005
| rowspan=2| <small>30 June</small><br /> 2012
| [[2005 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2005]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Pro-Beijing camp|Pro-Beijing]]
| [[First Tsang government|Tsang I]]<br /><small>([[DABHK|DAB]] • [[HKFTU|FTU]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]] • [[The Alliance (Hong Kong)|TA]])</small>
| rowspan=5| [[Wen Jiabao]]
| rowspan=1| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2007/content_609909.htm|title=中华人民共和国国务院令第490号|date=2007-04-02|work=中国政府网}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| [[2007 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2007]]
| rowspan=2| 3
| rowspan=2| [[Second term of Donald Tsang as Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Tsang II]]<br /><small>([[DABHK|DAB]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]] • [[HKFTU|FTU]] • [[The Alliance (Hong Kong)|TA]] • [[Economic Synergy|ES]])</small>
| rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite news|title=国务院正式任命曾荫权为香港特区行政长官|url=https://news.sina.cn/sa/2005-06-21/detail-ikknscsi7025807.d.html|work=中广网|date=2007-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="font-size:90%; font-weight:normal" | {{Age in years and days|2005|6|21|2012|6|30|duration=on|sep=and}}
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Nonpartisan}}" |'''3'''  
| rowspan=2| [[File:Leung Chun-ying 2013.jpg|90px]]
| rowspan=2| '''[[Leung Chun-ying]]'''<br /><span style="font-size:125%;">{{lang|zh-hk|梁振英}}</span>
<small>(born 1954)</small>
| <small>1 July</small><br />2012
| <small>30 June</small><br />2017
| rowspan=2| [[2012 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2012]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Pro-Beijing camp|Pro-Beijing]]
| rowspan=2| 4
| rowspan=2| [[First term of CY Leung as Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Leung]]<br /><small>([[DABHK|DAB]] • [[HKFTU|FTU]] • [[Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong|BPA]] • [[New People's Party (Hong Kong)|NPP]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]])</small>
| rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite news|title=国务院召开第七次全体会议决定任命梁振英为香港特别行政区第四任行政长官|url=https://www.gov.cn/ldhd/2012-03/28/content_2101667.htm|date=2012-03-28|work=中央政府门户网站}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="font-size:90%; font-weight:normal" | {{age in years and days|2012|7|1|2017|6|30|duration=on|sep=and}}
|-
| rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Nonpartisan}}" |'''4'''  
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Carrie Lam 2019-04-09 (1).jpg|90px]]
| rowspan="2" | '''[[Carrie Lam]]'''<br /><span style="font-size:125%;">{{lang|zh-hk|林鄭月娥}}</span>
<small>(born 1957)</small>
| <small>1 July</small><br />2017
| <small>30 June</small><br />2022
| rowspan="2" |[[2017 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2017]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Pro-Beijing camp|Pro-Beijing]]
| rowspan="2" | 5
| rowspan="2" | [[Carrie Lam as Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Lam]]<br /><small>([[DABHK|DAB]] • [[Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong|BPA]] • [[HKFTU|FTU]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]] • [[New People's Party (Hong Kong)|NPP]])</small>
| rowspan="4" | [[Li Keqiang]]
| rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite news|title=李克强会见林郑月娥 颁发任命林郑月娥为香港特别行政区第五任行政长官的国务院令|url=http://www.xinhuanet.com//politics/2017-04/11/c_1120788125.htm|date=2017-04-11|work=新华社}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="font-size:90%; font-weight:normal" | {{age in years and days|2017|7|1|2022|6|30|duration=on|sep=and}}
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Nonpartisan}}" |'''5'''
| rowspan=2| [[File:Inmediahk - John Lee 2023 (cropped).jpg|90px]]
| rowspan=2| '''[[John Lee Ka-chiu|John Lee]]'''<br /><span style="font-size:125%;">{{lang|zh-hk|李家超}}</span>
<small>(born 1957)</small>
| <small>1 July</small><br />2022
| ''Incumbent'' 
| rowspan=2|[[2022 Hong Kong Chief Executive election|2022]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Pro-Beijing camp|Pro-Beijing]]
| rowspan=2| 6
| rowspan=2| [[Lee government|Lee]]<br /><small>([[Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong|DAB]] • [[Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions|FTU]] • [[Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong|BPA]] • [[New People's Party (Hong Kong)|NPP]] • [[Liberal Party (Hong Kong)|LP]])</small>
| rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite news|title=李克强会见李家超 颁发任命李家超为香港特别行政区第六任行政长官的国务院令 韩正出席|url=http://www.news.cn/politics/leaders/2022-05/30/c_1128697214.htm|date=2022-05-30|work=新华社}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="font-size:90%; font-weight:normal" | {{age in years and days|2022|7|1|duration=on|sep=and}}
|}
{{Reflist| group="n"|refs =
<ref group="n" name="num">
Successive fixed five-year CE terms in which incumbent held office.
</ref>
<ref group="n" name="resigned">
Resigned, [[Chief Secretary for Administration]] [[Sir Donald Tsang]] served as acting chief executive from 12 March to 25 May 2005 and [[Financial Secretary (Hong Kong)|Financial Secretary]] [[Henry Tang]] acted from 25 May to 21 June 2005.
</ref>
}}

<div style="overflow:auto">
{{#tag:timeline|
Define $width = 1000 # 4 pixels per year ($end – $start) × 4
Define $warning = 880 # $width – 120
Define $height = 300 # 43 x 20 + 160

Define $start = 1937
Define $end = 2027
Define $now = {{CURRENTYEAR}}

ImageSize  = width:$width height:$height
PlotArea   = right:10 left:1 bottom:80 top:60
Period     = from:$start till:$end
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1

Colors =
     id:bg              value:white
     id:lightline       value:rgb(0.9, 0.9, 0.9)
     id:lighttext       value:rgb(0.5, 0.5, 0.5)
     id:LIFESPAN        value:rgb(0.88, 0.90, 0.70) Legend: Lifespan
     id:PRES_NON        value:rgb(0.7, 0.7, 0.7) Legend: Nonpartisan
     id:NAME            value:rgb(0.15, 0.13, 0.05)
     id:TODAY           value:lightpurple

BackgroundColors = canvas:bg
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:lightline unit:year increment:1 start:$start
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:lighttext unit:year increment:10 start:1940

Define $dy = -5 # shift text to button side of bar

LineData=
   at:$now color:TODAY width:0.1

PlotData=
  bar:1 width:18
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1937 till:1997 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Tung Chee-hwa]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:1997 till:2005
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:2005 till:$now

  bar:2 width:18
    color:LIFESPAN align:left fontsize:M
    from:1944 till:2005 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Donald Tsang]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:2005 till:2012
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:2012 till:$now

  bar:3 width:18
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1954 till:2012 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Leung Chun-ying]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:2012 till:2017
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:2017 till:$now

  bar:4 width:18
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1957 till:2017 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[Carrie Lam]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:2017 till:2022
    color:LIFESPAN
    from:2022 till:$now

  bar:5 width:18
    color:LIFESPAN align:center fontsize:M
    from:1957 till:2022 shift:(-0,$dy) textcolor:NAME text:[[John Lee Ka-chiu|John Lee]]
    color:PRES_NON
    from:2022 till:$now

TextData =
  fontsize:M
  textcolor:red
  pos:($warning,30)
  text:Updated {{CURRENTYEAR}}

TextData =
   pos:(280,$height)
   fontsize:L
   textcolor:black
   text:"Lifespan of each Chief Executive"
}}</div>

===Age-related statistics===
{| class="sortable wikitable"
|-
! rowspan=2 | <abbr title="Order of Chief Executives">#</abbr>
! rowspan=2 | Chief Executive
! rowspan=2 | Born
! rowspan=2 | Age at<br>{{nowrap|start of tenure}}
! rowspan=2 | Age at<br>{{nowrap|end of tenure}}
! rowspan=2 | {{nowrap|Post-tenure}}<br>timespan
! colspan=2 | Lifespan
|-
! Died !! Age
|- style="text-align: left; background:#FFFFFF"
| {{0}}1
| data-sort-value="Tung, Chee-hwa" | [[Tung Chee-hwa]]
| {{dts|7 Jul 1937|abbr=on|df=yes}}
| {{ayd|7 Jul 1937|1 Jul 1997}}<br>{{dts|1 Jul 1997|abbr=on}}
| {{ayd|7 Jul 1937|12 Mar 2005}}<br>{{dts|12 Mar 2005|abbr=on}}
|''{{ayd|12 Mar 2005}}''
| <span style="display:none">{{CURRENTYEAR}}-{{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}}</span>''(Living)''
| ''{{ayd|7 Jul 1937}}''
|- style="text-align: left; background:#FFFFFF"
| {{0}}2
| data-sort-value="Tsang, Donald" | [[Donald Tsang]]
| {{dts|7 Oct 1944|abbr=on|df=yes}}
| {{ayd|7 Oct 1944|21 Jun 2005}}<br>{{dts|21 Jun 2005|abbr=on}}
| {{ayd|7 Oct 1944|30 Jun 2012}}<br>{{dts|30 Jun 2012|abbr=on}}
|''{{ayd|30 Jun 2012}}''
| <span style="display:none">{{CURRENTYEAR}}-{{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}}</span>''(Living)''
| ''{{ayd|7 Oct 1944}}''
|- style="text-align: left; background:#FFFFFF"
| {{0}}3
| data-sort-value="Leung, Chun-ying" | [[Leung Chun-ying]]
| {{dts|12 Aug 1954|abbr=on|df=yes}}
| {{ayd|12 Aug 1954|1 Jul 2012}}<br>{{dts|1 Jul 2012|abbr=on}}
| {{ayd|12 Aug 1954|30 Jun 2017}}<br>{{dts|30 Jun 2017|abbr=on}}
|''{{ayd|30 Jun 2017}}''
| <span style="display:none">{{CURRENTYEAR}}-{{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}}</span>''(Living)''
| ''{{ayd|12 Aug 1954}}''
|- style="text-align: left; background:#FFFFFF"
| {{0}}4
| data-sort-value="Lam, Carrie" | [[Carrie Lam]]
| {{dts|13 May 1957|abbr=on|df=yes}}
| {{ayd|13 May 1957|1 Jul 2017}}<br>{{dts|1 Jul 2017|abbr=on}}
| {{ayd|13 May 1957|30 Jun 2022}}<br>{{dts|30 Jun 2022|abbr=on}}
|''{{ayd|30 Jun 2022}}''
| <span style="display:none">{{CURRENTYEAR}}-{{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}}</span>''(Living)''
| ''{{ayd|13 May 1957}}''
|- style="text-align: left; background:#FFFFFF"
| {{0}}5
| data-sort-value="Lee, John" | [[John Lee Ka-chiu|John Lee]]
| {{dts|7 Dec 1957|abbr=on|df=yes}}
| {{ayd|7 Dec 1957|1 Jul 2022}}<br>{{dts|1 Jul 2022|abbr=on}}
| {{ayd|7 Dec 1957|30 Jun 2027}}<br>{{dts|30 Jun 2027|abbr=on}}
|''(Pending)''
| <span style="display:none">{{CURRENTYEAR}}-{{CURRENTMONTH}}-{{CURRENTDAY}}</span>''(Living)''
| ''{{ayd|7 Dec 1957}}''
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Hong Kong}}
* [[List of spouses of chief executives of Hong Kong]]
* [[Chief Executive of Macau]]
* [[Governor of Hong Kong]]
* [[Politics of Hong Kong]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://www.ceo.gov.hk/carrie/eng/index.html Office of the Chief Executive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730160358/https://www.ceo.gov.hk/carrie/eng/index.html |date=30 July 2020 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060215142113/http://www.info.gov.hk/press/p970528b.htm Relocation of the Residence and Office of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong]
* [http://www.ceo.gov.hk/eng/index.html  Archive – Chief Executive 1 July 2012 – 30 June 2017] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930170932/https://www.ceo.gov.hk/eng/index.html |date=30 September 2019 }}
* [http://www.ceo.gov.hk/archive/2012/eng/ Archive – Chief Executive 21 June 2005 – 30 June 2012]
* [http://www.ceo.gov.hk/archive/2005/ Archive – Chief Executive 12 March 2005 – 20 June 2005]
* [http://www.ceo.gov.hk/archive/97-05/ Archive – Chief Executive 1 July 1997 – 11 March 2005]
* [https://digital.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/corpus/ Corpus of Political Speeches], Free access to political speeches by Chief Executive of Hong Kong and other politicians, developed by Hong Kong Baptist University Library

{{Chief executives of Hong Kong}}
{{HKExco}}
{{Hong Kong topics}}

[[Category:Chief executives of Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Politics of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Lists of political office-holders in China|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Lists of political office-holders in Hong Kong]]