By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-04-02 02:11:27 | Updated at 2025-04-03 04:15:35
1 day ago
Beijing has named Joe Chow Yat-ming as the new Hong Kong police commissioner, succeeding outgoing chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee, whose term ended on Tuesday.
Chow’s appointment was approved by the State Council on Wednesday following a recommendation by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, according to news agency Xinhua.
The former police second-in-command takes over from Siu, who first led the force in 2021 and had his service extended for two years when he reached the retirement age of 57 in 2023.
Siu’s tenure was extended to “facilitate a smooth transition” for the force’s senior management, according to the government, but the Post learned from insiders that the decision was triggered by the impending retirement of two out of three deputy police commissioners in 2023.
Albert Yuen Yuk-kin, then deputy police commissioner for operations, retired in August 2023, while Edwina Lau Chi-wai, deputy commissioner for national security, retired in April that year.
Chow, then serving as deputy police commissioner in management, was the remaining aide, but an insider said he was deemed too young to lead the force at the age of 50 two years ago.
