Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, also known as Carrie Lam, GBS, Justice of the Peace is a civil servant from Hong Kong, currently the Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong Government.
Education
Carrie Lam attended Saint Francis" Canossian College and the University of Hong Kong. As a student, Lam was an activist and advocated on behalf of the Yau Ma Tei boat people, who faced a difficult situation. She was active in the student union at the University of Hong Kong, where she switched her course of study from social work to sociology to help her understand society and graduated in 1980.
She received honorary membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2012.
The only other person in Hong Kong who received the same honour is Sir David Aker-Jones, forner Chief Secretary.
Career
Lam joined the Administrative Service in 1980. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including as Director of Social Welfare Department (2000–2003), Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) (2003–2004), Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (2004–2006), Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs (2006–2007) and Secretary for Development (2007–2012). She was then chosen as the Chief Secretary for Administration by the new Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
Lam created controversy when, in a speech to open the Caritas Bazaar in 2015, Lam cited the eight Beatitudes, saying “Some said that the eighth blessing applies very well to me – it says, ‘blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven’ – there is already a place reserved for me in heaven.” Senior cleric, The Reverend Thomas Law Kwok-Fai, told the media “Number one would say that about themselves… I won’t dare to myself”, while a senior lecturer at the Chinese University of Hong Kong said that Lam sounded arrogant.
