Chris Tang

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Chris Tang
PDSM
鄧炳強
Tang Ping-keung 20201012.jpg
Secretary for Security
Assumed office
25 June 2021
Chief ExecutiveCarrie Lam
Preceded byJohn Lee
Commissioner of Police
In office
18 November 2019 – 25 June 2021
Chief ExecutiveCarrie Lam
Preceded byStephen Lo
Succeeded byRaymond Siu
Personal details
Born (1965-07-04) 4 July 1965 (age 56)
Hong Kong
Alma materChung Chi College, CUHK (BSS)
Police career
DepartmentHong Kong Police Force
Service years1987–2021
RankCommissioner
AwardsPolice Distinguished Service Medal (2018)
Chris Tang
Traditional Chinese鄧炳強
Simplified Chinese邓炳强

Chris Tang Ping-keung, PDSM (Chinese: 鄧炳強; born 4 July 1965) is the Secretary for Security in Hong Kong since 25 June 2021, prior to which he served as the Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police Force from 19 November 2019.

Early life[]

Tang was born on 4 July 1965 to a family with roots in Dongguan, Guangdong. Educated at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, from which he received a bachelor's degree in social science in 1987, Tang subsequently earned a master's degree in business administration and another in international security and strategy.[1]

Career[]

He joined the Royal Hong Kong Police Force in the 1987 as an inspector. He spent many years working in the criminal investigation, international liaison and operational command. He was seconded to Interpol General Secretariat a specialised officer from 2006 to 2008, before he was promoted in the organisation as the head of Criminal Organisation and Violent Unit.[1]

In 2015, Tang was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police and discharged duties as regional commander of Hong Kong Island and Assistant Commissioner, Personnel. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner and appointed as Director of Operations before he became Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations). He was awarded the Police Distinguished Service Medal (PDSM) in 2018.[1]

Tang was appointed the Commissioner of Police by the State Council of China in November 2019,[2] succeeding Stephen Lo amid the widespread 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, at a time when police were under unrelenting criticism for excessive use of force. He was in charge of the police operation code-named Tiderider in response to street protests triggered by the extradition bill since June 2019.[3] He has stated that the police are against having an independent inquiry into allegations of police brutality, which is a key demand from the protesters, and claimed "fake news" was undermining the reputation of his police force.[4][5][6] Following Tang's appointment as the Commissioner of Police in November 2019, the police changed its motto from "We serve with pride and care" which had been used for more than 20 years, to "Serving Hong Kong with honour, duty and loyalty."[7] According to the Taiwan News he "is known as a hardliner in the conflict with the pro-democracy protesters." He has said the violence perpetrated by activists is "very close to terrorism."[6]

On 3 July 2020, Xinhua, the official Chinese state-run press agency, stated that the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was formally established with 10 members. As the Commissioner of Hong Kong Police Force, Tang was a member of the committee.[8]

On 10 February 2021, Carrie Lam awarded Tang the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government/Public Service for his "significant contribution to safeguarding national security and the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law".[9] In February 2021, Tang said that he was considering legislation to ban insults to both police officers and public officials.[10]

In April 2021, Tang claimed that the United States had used its agents in Hong Kong to stir antigovernmental protests in 2019, and claimed that the protests were not caused by the now-withdrawn extradition bill.[11] Also in April 2021, Tang criticized Apple Daily, stating that the pro-democracy newspaper was spreading fake news and inciting hatred in the city.[12]

U.S. sanctions[]

In August 2020, Tang and ten other Hong Kong officials were sanctioned by the United States Department of the Treasury under an Executive Order 13936 by President Trump for acts undermining Hong Kong's autonomy.[13][14][15] Chris Tang reportedly transferred his mortgage of property in Southern District from HSBC to Bank of China (Hong Kong) three days before sanctions took effect.[16]

Tang was on a list issued by the US State Department on 14 October 2020, of ten individuals who materially contributed to the failure of the China to meet its obligations under the Sino–British Joint Declaration and Hong Kong's Basic Law.[17]

Controversies and views[]

Alleged infringement of academic autonomy[]

According to Stand News, Tang sent a letter to Stephen Cheung, the president of Education University of Hong Kong (EduHK), on 27 April 2020 requesting a follow up to the speech of (蔡俊威) on RTHK television programme Pentaprism II (左右紅藍綠). The speech of Choi mentioned the Siege of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and criticized the actions of Hong Kong Police, while Tang accused Choi for inciting hatred towards the Hong Kong Police. Democratic Party Legislative Council member Ted Hui expressed concern and stated that he would send a letter to Civil Service Bureau to follow up on Tang's actions. In support of Choi, Pro-democracy group accused Tang of infringing on academic freedom and autonomy.[18] Choi was also supported by the student unions of 9 universities in Hong Kong, including that of Education University of Hong Kong.[19][non-primary source needed] On the other hand, the episode received complaints from a total of 347 members of the public. The independent regulatory agency of the Broadcasting Services, Communications Authority (CA), initiated an investigation and commented that "CHOI’s remarks had apparently been distorted, inaccurate information or personal opinions on the Internet without making clear the sources of information… The CA took the view that the host’s remarks made in the programme was irresponsible, and could be regarded as a hate speech with the effect of inciting hatred against the Police, unfair to and were capable of adversely affecting the reputation of the Police".[20] RTHK was subsequently issued a "Serious Warning" by the authority.

Hong Kong Journalists Association[]

In September 2021, Tang claimed that the HKJA had infiltrated schools to spread antigovernmental political ideas. Afterwards, Tang claimed that he was expressing public opinion, stating "I think I am not making any allegations. I just cast doubt, which is not just from me. I think it's from a large number (of people) of the community. They have the same doubt about the association."[21]

Republic of China[]

In September 2021, Tang claimed that celebrations for the Republic of China's Double Ten day could risk breaching the national security law.[22] Tang also claimed that Taiwan is a part of China, and anybody attempting to alter that view would risk being arrested.[22] Many precursors to the Republic of China were based in Hong Kong, including places along the Dr Sun Yat-sen Historical Trail.[23]

Fake news[]

In December 2021, Tang claimed that police officers had never entered school premises during the Siege of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and that a report was "fake news" for saying that police officers had entered the premises.[24] Photos later showed that police did in fact enter the premises.[24]

Democracy[]

In January 2022, Tang claimed that "The cessation of Apple Daily impressed me the most. This newspaper was poisoning Hongkongers, especially giving the young people a wrong idea about China", and also said that "Since the newspaper has been shut down now, the society will be better and more democratic". Finally, Tang said that "The national security law and the 'patriots administering Hong Kong' principle in the new Legislative Council term marked a new milestone in Hong Kong's democracy."[25]

Filmography[]

In an interview with Clifton Ko, a Hong Kong director, Tang revealed that he, following his schoolmates during university time, worked as a bit part in two of Ko's films to make some money, with a daily salary of HKD700 in 1984.[26]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Senior Officers". Hong Kong Police Force.
  2. ^ "China's State Council Appoints New Police Chief in Hong Kong". The New York Times. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
  3. ^ "New Hong Kong police chief says the force can't end protests alone". South China Morning Post. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  4. ^ "New Hong Kong police chief Chris Tang tells residents: the force cannot end the protests alone". South China Morning Post. 19 November 2019.
  5. ^ "Hong Kong protesters stage dramatic escape from police siege of Polytechnic University, but hundreds remain trapped". ABC News. 19 November 2019.
  6. ^ a b Strong, Matthew. "Hong Kong appoints hardline police chief". Taiwan News. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  7. ^ "New top cop spells out plan of action". The Standard. 20 November 2019.
  8. ^ Liu, Mingyang (8 August 2020). "The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is formally established with Carrie Lam as chairman". Xinhua Net. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  9. ^ "CE commends seven serving and retired senior police officers (with photos)". Hong Kong Government. 10 February 2021.
  10. ^ "Lam confirms Hong Kong considering law against insulting officials and police, says free speech must be 'balanced'". Hong Kong Free Press. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  11. ^ "US agents stirring up trouble in HK: police chief – RTHK". RTHK. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  12. ^ Kong, Dimsumdaily Hong (17 April 2021). "Commissioner of Police condemns Apple Daily for its biased reporting on police force, 130 letters sent". Dimsum Daily. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  13. ^ "US sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam, police chief and 9 other top officials for 'undermining autonomy'". Hong Kong Free Press. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  14. ^ Macias, Amanda (7 August 2020). "U.S. sanctions Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam for carrying out Chinese 'policies of suppression'". CNBC. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  15. ^ "Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Undermining Hong Kong's Autonomy". United States Department of the Treasury. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  16. ^ Mok, Maisy (11 February 2021). "Show of force as seven US-sanctioned officers presented top awards". The Standard. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  17. ^ U.S. Department of State. "Identification of Foreign Persons Involved in the Erosion of the Obligations of China Under the Joint Declaration or the Basic Law". Archived from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  18. ^ "鄧炳強發信跟進教大講師言論 高教界聯署斥損學術自由 促張仁良公正處理".
  19. ^ "香港教育大學學生會 The Education University of Hong Kong Students' Union". Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  20. ^ "Complaints dealt with by the Communications Authority" (PDF). Communications Authority. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  21. ^ "HKJA should clear its name: Chris Tang - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  22. ^ a b "Celebrating Taiwan holiday in Hong Kong risks secession charge: security chief". South China Morning Post. 23 September 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Stroll through history on the Sun Yat Sen Historical Trail | Hong Kong Tourism Board". Discover Hong Kong. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b "Hong Kong gov't and judiciary clam up after falsely claiming activist Nathan Law jumped bail". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  25. ^ "Article 23 and security law push in 'era of rebirth'". The Standard HK.
  26. ^ 黃, 蘊姿 (31 March 2020). "鄧炳強與高志森相認早有淵源 曾做《開心鬼》老臨青澀似錢小豪". Sky Post (in Chinese).
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary for Security
2021–present 		Incumbent
Police appointments
Preceded by
Stephen Lo Wai-chung
 Commissioner of Police of Hong Kong
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Raymond Siu Chak-yee
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Law Chi-kwong
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