Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform
A former director of Hong Kong's overseas trade offices is now a candidate in London's local elections for the right-wing Reform UK party.
Lee Sheung-yuen, who served as the first director of Hong Kong's Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Bangkok and concurrently as director general of its Jakarta office, is now a political candidate in the United Kingdom. After leaving government service in 2023, he is standing for a seat on Ealing Council in London's local elections on May 7, representing the right-wing Reform UK party. His career also included roles as assistant commissioner for tourism and administrative assistant to former commerce minister Gregory So Kam-leung.
According to the South China Morning Post, a Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau spokesman stated that a rigorous mechanism exists to regulate post-service employment for senior civil servants, balancing public interest with individual work rights. Officials at Lee's former D2 directorate level are subject to a two-year control period requiring prior approval for outside employment. Lee has cleared this applicable period and declined an interview, citing the ongoing campaign. His candidacy emerges as other Hong Kong compatriots seek re-election in the UK as Liberal Democrat candidates.
- Lee Sheung-yuen is a former director of Hong Kong's Economic and Trade Offices in Jakarta and Bangkok.
- He is contesting a London council seat for the right-wing Reform UK party in elections scheduled for May 7.
- He has cleared the mandatory two-year post-service employment control period required for senior Hong Kong civil servants.
Why It Matters
This highlights the political integration and career transitions of former Hong Kong officials in Western democracies following the city's governance changes.