The Chief Secretary for Administration is the second-highest government official in Hong Kong, right after the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. When the Chief Executive is on leave, the Chief Secretary for Administration will act on their behalf.
The Chief Secretary for Administration heads the Government Secretariat, which oversees the administration of the Region to which all other ministers belong. The Chief Secretary for Administration reports to the Chief Executive and to the Legislative Council. Under Article 53 of the Basic Law, the position is known as "Administrative Secretary".
The Chief Secretary formulates and implements government policy, gives advice to the Chief Executive as a member of the Executive Council, and is responsible for managing the Government's relationship with the Legislative Council and drawing up the Government's legislative programme. The office (“Department of Administration” per Article 60 of the Basic Law) also exercises certain statutory functions, such as the handling of appeals from designated public bodies.[2]
From the 1870s to 1902 the Colonial Secretary was the de factoLieutenant Governor of Hong Kong which was once held by the Commander of British Forces in Hong Kong before 1870s when the post was not lapsed from power. After 1902 the title disappeared from use as the second highest post was transferred to the Colonial Secretary and later, Chief Secretary.[citation needed]