The Honourable
Au Ka-wang
IDSM
區嘉宏
Director of Immigration
In office
2 July 2020 – 19 September 2023
Acting: 23 April 2020 - 1 July 2020
Chief ExecutiveCarrie Lam
John Lee
Preceded byErick Tsang
Succeeded byBenson Kwok
Personal details
Born1967 (age 56–57)
British Hong Kong
Au Ka-wang
Traditional Chinese區嘉宏
Simplified Chinese區嘉宏

Au Ka-wang IDSM (Chinese: 區嘉宏; born 1967) is a Hong Kong politician who served as the Director of Immigration. During his tenure, Au had been criticised for breaking social distancing rules and raised concerns of misconduct after a luxurious meal with business executives.[1]

Career

He joined the Immigration Department in November 1988 as an Assistant Immigration Officer. In 1992, he was promoted to Immigration Officer. In 2003, he was promoted to Senior Immigration Officer. He was then promoted to Chief Immigration Officer in 2009, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in 2014 and to Principal Immigration Officer in 2015. He was elevated to Assistant Director of Immigration in 2018 and Deputy Director of Immigration in 2019.[2] He has been the acting Director of Immigration since 23 April 2020 when Director Erick Tsang became Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs,[3] until the State Council officially appointed him as Director on 2 July 2020.[4]

In July 2021, it was revealed that Au was fined for breaking social-distancing rules by attending a banquet dinner of Evergrande Group at a luxury clubhouse.[5]

On 5 January 2022, Carrie Lam announced new warnings and restrictions against social gathering due to potential COVID-19 outbreaks.[6] One day later, it was discovered that Au attended a birthday party hosted by Witman Hung Wai-man, with 222 guests.[7][8][9] At least one guest tested positive with COVID-19, causing all guests to be quarantined.[9] Au failed to show authorities his check-in time at the venue with the "LeaveHomeSafe" app,[10] mandatory for all visitors at restaurants.[11] According to Lam, Au claimed to have "only stayed for a very short time, and did not enter the restaurant's core area".[10] He was ordered to take leave until 24 January. [12]

Au retired on 19 September 2023 and was succeeded by Benson Kwok Joon-fung, Deputy Director of Immigration,[13] who was also embroiled in the Evergrande-scandal and probed for accepting gifts from an executive director of the company.[14][15]

Personal life

In August 2022, Au tested positive for COVID-19.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Why Hong Kong security trio's mystery hotpot dinner is still on the boil". South China Morning Post. 2021-07-18. Retrieved 2023-09-20.
  2. ^ "GovHK: Mr Au Ka-wang, IDSM, Director of Immigration". Hong Kong SAR Government. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  3. ^ "Carrie Lam's top aide to head Hong Kong committee for security law". South China Morning Post. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  4. ^ "Au Ka-wang elevated to head immigration". The Standard. 2 Jul 2020. Retrieved 15 Dec 2020.
  5. ^ "Hong Kong officials caught violating Covid-19 rules have paid the price: Lam". South China Morning Post. 2021-07-11. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  6. ^ "Bars, gyms to close, 6pm restaurant curfew as Hong Kong ramps up Omicron battle". South China Morning Post. 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  7. ^ "衞生防護中心最新發現洪為民宴會人數為222人". RTHK.
  8. ^ Hong Kong Finds New Suspected Covid Case at Official’s Scandal-Hit Birthday Party
  9. ^ a b "All 170 guests of Covid-19 scandal-hit birthday party sent to quarantine". South China Morning Post. 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  10. ^ a b "Anger, apologies as top Hong Kong officials caught in Covid-19 party scandal". South China Morning Post. 2022-01-06. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  11. ^ "Covid-19: Quarantine for 170 guests at Chinese official's b'day party, inc. 13 senior Hong Kong officials & 19 lawmakers". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. 2022-01-07. Retrieved 2022-01-07.
  12. ^ "Leave extension defuses Tsui resign speculation".
  13. ^ "Appointment of Director of Immigration (with photos)". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  14. ^ "Gift hampers for 2 top Hong Kong immigration officers spark probe". South China Morning Post. 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  15. ^ Cheng, Selina (2021-12-08). "Senior Hong Kong immigration officials receive gift hampers worth over HK$3,000 from Evergrande exec. director - report". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
  16. ^ Standard, The. "Immigration chief tests positive for Covid  ". The Standard. Retrieved 2022-08-25.
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