China's State Council appoints Joe Chow as Hong Kong police commissioner

Joe Chow Yat-ming has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police for Hong Kong, succeeding Raymond Siu Chak-yee, whose retirement was acknowledged by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu. Chow, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the Hong Kong Police Force, previously served as Deputy Commissioner and is recognized for his expertise in criminal investigations and intelligence gathering. Lee expressed confidence in Chow's leadership abilities, especially in navigating future challenges, and commended Siu for his efforts in maintaining safety in the city. Chow's rise to this position follows a notable career trajectory, including his involvement in managing protests during the 2019 social unrest. His appointment was confirmed by China's State Council, aligning with the HKSAR Basic Law and reflecting a significant leadership transition within the police force. Chow is now the 10th ethnic Chinese leader of the police since the 1997 handover.