[5] In the 2022 Chief Executive election, John Lee, promoted from Secretary for Security to Chief Secretary for Administration a year ago,[6] received the approval of the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee[7] to stand in the election and was the sole candidate of the leadership race, backed by the pro-Beijing camp.

[13] Four of the senior officials were under the United States sanctions after the imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong,[14] including Chief Secretary nominee Eric Chan, former Direction of Immigration.

[16] John Lee reshuffle his cabinet on 5 December 2024 as the culture and transportation ministers were sacked by the Chinese government upon his recommendation.

Lee evaded questions on the reasons behind the reshuffle, but mentioned his wishes for "a team and secretaries that will be able to deliver what I have in mind" and to "create the best result in the shortest period of Hong Kong" after time was lost because of COVID and the 2019 "riots".

It was later reported that Lee intended to fire the two ministers earlier that year for their "poor performance and inability to steer sectors seen as crucial to the city’s reputation and economic growth", and at once even considering sacking the environment minister Tse Chin-wan after the waste charging scheme failed.