Constitution and Administration | 17
Role of the Chief Secretary for Administration
The Chief Secretary for Administration is the leading Principal Official in the HKSAR Government. He is a member of the Executive Council and deputises for the Chief Executive when the latter is not able to discharge his duties for a short period.
The Chief Secretary for Administration supports the Chief Executive in administering Hong Kong and advises him on policy matters. He plays an important role in policy co-ordination, which is particularly important in areas that cut across policy bureaux. The Chief Secretary for Administration is responsible for overseeing specific priority areas of the Chief Executive's policy agenda, forging a closer and more effective working relationship between the Administration and the Legislative Council, and drawing up the Government's legislative programme. He also exercises statutory functions vested in him by law, such as those concerning the handling of appeals and certain public bodies.
Role of the Financial Secretary
The Financial Secretary's primary responsibility is to assist the Chief Executive in overseeing policy formulation and implementation of financial, monetary, economic, trade and development matters. He exercises control over the Exchange Fund with the assistance of the Monetary Authority. He is a member of the Executive Council.
The Financial Secretary is also in charge of the Government Budget. He is responsible under the Public Finance Ordinance for laying before the Legislative Council each year the Government's estimates of revenue and expenditure. In his annual budget speech, he outlines the Government's vision and policies for sustainable economic development, and he presents budgetary proposals and moves the Appropriation Bill, which gives legal effect to the annual expenditure proposals contained in the Budget.
Central Policy Unit
The Central Policy Unit provides advice on policy issues to meet the special requirements of the Chief Executive, the Chief Secretary for Administration and the Financial Secretary and submit reports directly to them.
The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concern groups, and the academic community. It undertakes. in-depth examinations of complex policy issues, analyses options, conducts soundings of community feedback and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. It also carries out research studies on various issues in Hong Kong and the Mainland, with particular emphasis on the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region. The unit is also responsible for co-ordinating the annual Policy Address exercise.
In addition, the unit provides secretariat support to the Commission on Strategic Development. The terms of reference of the commission are to advise the Chief Executive on Hong Kong's long-term development needs and goals with particular reference to the direction and strategy of social, economic and political developments for Hong Kong.