Carrie Lam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carrie Lam
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林鄭月娥
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Lam in 2019
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| 4th Chief Executive of Hong Kong | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2022 |
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| President | Xi Jinping | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premier | Li Keqiang | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Leung Chun-ying | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | John Lee Ka-chiu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Secretary for Administration | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1 July 2012 – 16 January 2017 |
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| Chief Executive | Leung Chun-ying | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Stephen Lam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Matthew Cheung | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Secretary for Development | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2012 |
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| Chief Executive | Donald Tsang | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by |
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| Succeeded by | Mak Chai-kwong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born |
Cheng Yuet-ngor
13 May 1957 229 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, British Hong Kong |
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| Nationality |
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| Spouse |
Lam Siu-por
(m. 1984) |
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| Children | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | St. Francis' Canossian College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 林鄭月娥 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 林郑月娥 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (born 13 May 1957) is a retired politician from Hong Kong. She served as the fourth Chief Executive of Hong Kong from 2017 to 2022. Before that, she was the Chief Secretary for Administration for five years.
After finishing her studies at the University of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam joined the government in 1980. She worked in many different government roles. From 2000 to 2004, she was the Director of Social Welfare. From 2004 to 2006, she worked in London for Hong Kong.
In 2007, she became a top official as Secretary for Development. During this time, she was known as a "tough fighter." This was because of her role in the removal of the Queen's Pier in 2008, which caused some debate.
In 2012, Lam became the Chief Secretary for Administration. This is a very important role in the Hong Kong government. From 2013 to 2015, she led a group working on changes to how elections are held in Hong Kong. She also talked with student leaders during the big protests in 2014.
In the 2017 election for Chief Executive, Carrie Lam was chosen by the Election Committee. She received 777 votes and became the first female Chief Executive of Hong Kong.
Her time as Chief Executive faced many challenges and was not very popular. Her government was criticized for several policies. These included changes to social welfare and a plan for tunnel tolls.
In 2019, Lam proposed a new extradition law. This law caused huge protests in Hong Kong. People worried it would affect Hong Kong's freedom. The protests lasted for many months. People demanded the bill be withdrawn and Lam to resign. Even though the bill was suspended and later withdrawn, the protests continued. They also asked for an independent investigation into police actions and more democratic elections.
Clashes between protesters and police increased. Thousands of people were arrested. The protests only slowed down when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Lam's popularity dropped even more after the 2019 local elections.
In July 2020, the Chinese Government introduced a national security law for Hong Kong. Many people criticized this law, saying it reduced freedom in the city. In April 2022, Carrie Lam announced she would not seek another term as Chief Executive. She said she wanted to spend more time with her family. John Lee took over as Chief Executive on 1 July 2022.
Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Civil Service Career
- Secretary for Development
- Chief Secretary for Administration
- 2017 Chief Executive Bid
- Chief Executive
- Post Chief Executive
- Personal Life
- Honours
- See also
Early Life and Education
Carrie Lam was born Cheng Yuet-ngor on 13 May 1957. She grew up in a small flat in Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Her family had five children and a low income. Her father was from Shanghai and worked on ships. She went to St. Francis' Canossian College, a Catholic girls' school, and was the head prefect there.
After high school, Lam studied at the University of Hong Kong. She was involved in student activities. She even helped organize trips to Tsinghua University in Beijing. She first studied social work but changed to sociology to understand society better. She graduated in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in social sciences.
In 1982, the Hong Kong government supported her further studies at the University of Cambridge. There, she met her future husband, Lam Siu-por, a mathematician. She earned an advanced diploma from Cambridge in 1982. This diploma is similar to the final year of a bachelor's degree.
Civil Service Career
Carrie Lam started her career in the Hong Kong government in 1980. She worked in many different government offices. She spent about seven years in the Finance Bureau. This involved planning budgets and controlling spending.
In 2000, Lam became the Director of the Social Welfare Department. This was a time when many people in Hong Kong were unemployed. She made some changes to the social welfare system. She also helped create a fund to help children whose parents died during the SARS epidemic in 2003.
In 2004, she moved to London to lead the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office. She returned to Hong Kong in 2006 to work in the Home Affairs Bureau. She was involved in planning for the 2008 Beijing Olympics events held in Hong Kong.
Secretary for Development
On 1 July 2007, Carrie Lam became the Secretary for Development. This was a big step in her career. Early in her role, she oversaw the removal of the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier and the Queen's Pier. These actions were part of a land reclamation project. They led to protests from people who wanted to save the piers.
In July 2007, she spoke at a public meeting about Queen's Pier. She told protesters that the pier could not be saved. Her firm stance earned her the nickname "tough fighter."
Lam also introduced a new plan for urban renewal. This plan made it easier for developers to buy old buildings for redevelopment. Some groups criticized this, saying it helped big developers more than small property owners.
She was recognized for her work as Secretary for Development. She received several honorary awards from professional groups.
During the 2012 Chief Executive election, Lam investigated unauthorized building work at a candidate's house. This scandal affected the candidate's chances. Later, the winner of the election was also found to have similar issues. Lam faced criticism for how she handled that situation.
Small House Policy
In 2007, Lam wrote to a rural leader about the "Small House Policy." This policy allows male indigenous villagers to build houses near their ancestral homes. It has been criticized for being misused.
In 2012, Lam's department started to crack down on illegal building work in these villages. This was met with protests from rural leaders. Lam also suggested ending the Small House Policy because of its misuse and land shortages.
Chief Secretary for Administration
On 1 July 2012, Carrie Lam became the Chief Secretary for Administration. This is the second-highest position in the Hong Kong government. Her popularity began to drop soon after. This was partly due to a debate over a new national education plan.
2014 Political Reform and Protests
In October 2013, Lam led a group working on changes to Hong Kong's election system. These changes were for the 2017 Chief Executive election. When a Chinese official said that open nominations for candidates would not be allowed, Lam's comments suggested the decision was final. This angered pro-democracy groups.
In August 2014, China's top legislative body set limits on the 2017 Chief Executive election. This led to large-scale protests in Hong Kong, known as the Umbrella Movement. The protests lasted for 79 days.
During the protests, Lam held a televised debate with student leaders. She firmly stated that their ideas for nominations were not allowed under the law. Her approval ratings dropped significantly during this time. The proposed election changes were eventually rejected by the Legislative Council in June 2015.
2017 Chief Executive Bid
On 12 January 2017, Carrie Lam announced she would run for Chief Executive. She ended her 36-year career in government. She presented her vision for Hong Kong, focusing on connecting people and improving the future. Many pro-Beijing figures and business leaders supported her.
Reports suggested that top Chinese officials had decided to support Carrie Lam for the election. On 27 February, she released her election plan. It focused on government structure and the economy. She did not promise to restart political reform.
On 28 February, Lam received 579 nominations from the Election Committee. She had strong support from the business and political sectors. However, she received no nominations from the pro-democracy camp.
On 26 March 2017, Carrie Lam was elected Chief Executive with 777 votes. She became the first female leader of Hong Kong. She promised to "heal the social divide" and "unite our society."
Chief Executive
Carrie Lam was officially appointed by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on 11 April 2017. She was sworn in by Chinese President Xi Jinping on 1 July 2017. This was the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong becoming a Special Administrative Region.
Infrastructure Projects
Express Rail Link Co-location Plan
In July 2017, Lam's government proposed a plan for the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL). This plan allowed Chinese customs officers to work inside the Hong Kong station. Critics worried this would go against Hong Kong's autonomy.
In January 2018, Carrie Lam criticized the Hong Kong Bar Association for its concerns. She suggested that some Hong Kong legal professionals thought their system was superior. Her comments caused surprise and criticism.
The plan was passed in June 2018. The Express Rail Link opened in September 2018. Another major project, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge, opened in October 2018.
Lantau Tomorrow Vision
In October 2018, Lam announced a large development plan. It involved building artificial islands near Lantau Island. The project was estimated to cost a lot of money. It also raised environmental concerns and faced opposition.
Late 2018 to Early 2019 Challenges
Social Welfare Changes
In January 2019, Lam's government announced a change to elderly social welfare. The age to receive benefits would increase from 60 to 65. This faced strong opposition from lawmakers and the public. Lam later changed the plan to provide a new payment for those affected.
$4,000 Handout Scheme
The government also faced criticism for a HK$4,000 handout scheme. This plan was for adult residents who did not own property or receive government benefits. The application process was seen as too complicated. The government later simplified it.
Lam's approval ratings dropped to a new low during this period. She admitted that people were questioning her government's ability to lead.
Cross-Harbour Tunnel Toll Plan
In January 2019, the Lam administration proposed changing tolls for cross-harbour tunnels. The goal was to balance traffic. However, the plan faced strong opposition and was withdrawn. It was the first major defeat for Lam's government.
Anti-Extradition Bill Protests
Bill Introduction and Opposition
In mid-2019, Lam's government introduced a bill to change extradition laws. This bill caused widespread fear and opposition. Many worried it would allow people to be sent to mainland China for trial. Lam insisted on moving forward with the bill. She claimed foreign powers were escalating the issue.
On 9 June 2019, over a million people marched against the bill. Despite this, the government said the debate on the bill would continue. On 12 June, protests outside government buildings turned violent. Lam appeared in an interview, expressing her love for Hong Kong. She said she would not withdraw the bill. However, she later condemned the protests as a "riot."
On 15 June, Carrie Lam announced a pause in the bill's passage. On 16 June, nearly two million people protested peacefully, demanding the bill's full withdrawal. Lam apologized to Hong Kong residents and promised to listen to criticism.
Continuing Protests
On 1 July, some protesters stormed the Legislative Council building. Lam refused to grant the protesters' five key demands. These included fully withdrawing the bill, investigating police actions, and allowing more democratic elections. As protests grew, Lam's support dropped to a record low. She refused to resign, saying she needed to "hold the fort."
In September 2019, Lam formally withdrew the extradition bill. However, she did not give in to the other demands. She said that police complaints would be handled by existing bodies. Lam also held a dialogue session with the public, but no more were held.
On 4 October, Lam used emergency powers to ban face masks in public gatherings. This law was later ruled unconstitutional. Protests against the ban continued.
Electoral Defeat
In November 2019, local elections were seen as a vote on the protests. Lam's pro-Beijing supporters suffered a big defeat. Pro-democracy candidates won many seats. Lam said her government would "listen humbly" and "seriously reflect" on the results.
In December, pro-democracy lawmakers tried to impeach Lam. They claimed she had seriously failed in her duties. The motion was defeated, but Lam still faced criticism from both sides.
COVID-19 Outbreak
The protests and the start of the coronavirus outbreak further reduced Carrie Lam's public support. In early 2020, her support rating dropped to a record low of nine percent.
In March 2021, Lam expressed frustration that people were not getting vaccinated fast enough. She also criticized some medical workers for "spreading fake news" about a vaccine. In August 2021, Lam announced that some workers would need to be vaccinated or pay for regular tests.
National Security Law
In May 2020, Beijing announced a plan for a national security law in Hong Kong. This law would make certain actions illegal, such as separatism. Many saw this as a crackdown on freedoms. Carrie Lam welcomed the law and promised to cooperate.
On 14 October 2020, the United States placed sanctions on Lam and other officials. This was for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy. As a result, Lam lost access to banking services. She said she had to use cash for everything. She also stated that she considered it an honor to be sanctioned.
In November 2020, Lam said the national security law was "remarkably effective." She claimed Hong Kong people could "once again enjoy their basic rights and freedoms." However, critics said it reduced freedom.
In January 2021, Lam said that local councillors should also take an oath of loyalty to the government. She claimed the national security law protects rights and freedoms, comparing it to laws in other countries. In August 2021, Lam said that rights and freedoms might need to give way for "more important goals" like national security.
In March 2021, Lam said authorities would ensure museum exhibits do not break the national security law. In January 2022, she said the government would broaden the crimes under the law.
In June 2022, Lam stated that Hong Kong was "as free as ever." She said the government did not make a mistake in introducing the law.
Disqualification of Lawmakers
In November 2020, four pro-democracy lawmakers were removed from the Legislative Council. Lam revealed that she had asked Beijing for help in disqualifying them.
Democratic Reform
In November 2020, Lam said she once hoped for democratic reform in Hong Kong. However, she believed it would now "further divide society." She also said that full democracy would not happen until Hong Kong's political system was "restored." In March 2021, she was "quite certain" Hong Kong could still move towards full democracy.
In September 2021, Lam said that changes to allow only "patriots" in elections created a democratic system that "suits Hong Kong better." In November 2021, she said it was "wrong" to think Beijing "owes" Hong Kong full democracy. She also criticized Western democracy.
After the 2021 legislative election had a very low voter turnout, Lam said low turnout "does not mean anything." She suggested it could mean citizens were satisfied.
Anti-Bribery Laws
In 2017, Lam promised to extend anti-bribery laws to cover the Chief Executive position. In December 2020, she went back on this promise. She said it would affect her "constitutional role." Critics called this a loophole.
Oath Taking
In January 2021, all civil servants were required to take an oath of loyalty. Lam said she did not believe this would hurt morale.
Dual Nationality
In February 2021, Lam stated that Hong Kong would enforce a law not recognizing dual nationality. People of Chinese descent born in Hong Kong or mainland China would be considered Chinese nationals. This means they would not get consular protection from other countries. Lam's own family members have British passports.
Patriots
In February 2021, a Chinese official said only "patriots" could govern Hong Kong. Lam defended this view. She said the central government was worried and needed to intervene. She denied her performance was to blame.
In March 2021, after changes were approved to allow only "patriots" in government, Lam claimed people with different political views could still run if they were patriots.
Lavish Gifts
In July 2021, it was revealed that three senior officials had broken social-distancing rules by attending a dinner. Government rules say officials should avoid "lavish" entertainment. Lam said there was "no definition of what a lavish dinner is." She asked people not to be "too harsh" on the officials.
Media Suppression
In December 2021, a news outlet called Stand News was shut down by the government. Lam denied that press freedom was being suppressed. She said actions were taken only when media outlets broke the law.
In January 2022, another news outlet, Citizen News, also closed. Lam claimed there was no direct link between these closures and the national security law.
Criticisms of COVID-19 Spreaders
In January 2022, Lam criticized the leaders of Cathay Pacific after an employee broke quarantine rules and spread COVID-19. She said leaders must take responsibility for their employees' actions.
A few days later, a COVID-19 cluster spread at a large birthday party attended by many government officials. Lam was asked if she would take responsibility for their actions. She changed her earlier opinion, saying individuals must take responsibility.
Post Chief Executive
In July 2022, lawmakers criticized the high cost of Carrie Lam's new office after leaving her role.
In November 2022, Lam said her future plans included promoting "One country, two systems" to Taiwan.
Personal Life
In 1984, Carrie married Lam Siu-por, a mathematician she met in Cambridge. They have two sons, Jeremy and Joshua, who both studied in the United Kingdom. Joshua is studying at Harvard University.
Their eldest son, Jeremy, works for a technology company in Beijing. Carrie Lam's husband and both sons are British citizens. Carrie Lam gave up her British citizenship in 2007 to take her government role. She is a Catholic and refused to join the Chinese Communist Party because it would mean giving up her faith.
Honours
Carrie Lam received the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2010 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2016. These awards recognized her achievements and contributions. She also received an honorary degree from Lingnan University and an award from the French government.
She was also given an honorary fellowship from Wolfson College, Cambridge. In 2019, during the anti-extradition bill protests, some people asked the university to remove her title. On 15 August 2020, Lam announced she had returned her honorary fellowship. She said she was disappointed that the college had criticized her unfairly. Wolfson College responded that they had concerns about her commitment to human rights and freedom of expression.
Carrie Lam is on a list of "Press freedom predators" by Reporters Without Borders.
See also
- 2019–20 Hong Kong protests
- Executive Council of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong national security law
- Lam government
