1
Constitution and Administration
equivalent in Hong Kong of the Cabinet) and are accountable for matters falling within their respective portfolios. The Director of the Chief Executive's Office is also a politically appointed official, with the same terms of employment as those of a Director of Bureau.
There are two additional layers of politically appointed officials (Under Secretaries and Political Assistants) to support the principal officials in carrying out political work.
Role of the Chief Secretary for Administration
The Chief Secretary for Administration is the leading principal official in the HKSAR Government and a member of the Executive Council. The Chief Secretary for Administration is the most senior official to temporarily assume the duties of the Chief Executive if the Chief Executive is not able to discharge those duties for a short period.
The Chief Secretary for Administration supports the Chief Executive in administering Hong Kong, advises the Chief Executive on policy matters and 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 Government and the Legislative Council, and drawing up the Government's legislative programme. The Chief Secretary for Administration also exercises certain statutory functions, including the handling of appeals and matters of 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. The Financial Secretary exercises control over the Exchange Fund with the assistance of the Monetary Authority and is a member of the Executive Council.
The Financial Secretary is also in charge of the Government Budget and is responsible under the Public Finance Ordinance for laying before the Legislative Council each year the Government's estimates of revenue and expenditure. The Financial Secretary outlines in the annual budget speech the Government's vision and policies for sustainable economic development, and presents budgetary proposals and moves the Appropriation Bill, which gives legal effect to the annual expenditure proposals 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 submits reports directly to them.
The unit consults widely with business and professional circles, political organisations and concerned groups, and the academic community. It undertakes in-depth examinations of complex policy issues, analyses options, conducts soundings of community views and recommends solutions for the Government's internal consideration. It also carries out policy research covering the social, political and economic spheres. The unit is also responsible for co- ordinating the annual Policy Address exercise.
12