Former Hong Kong trade office chief contesting UK local elections for Reform

Former trade office director Lee Sheung-yuen bids for London council seat as compatriots seek re-election as Liberal Democrat candidates

A former director of Hong Kong’s Economic and Trade Offices (ETO) in Jakarta and Bangkok is standing in the United Kingdom local elections for the right-wing Reform UK party.

Lee Sheung-yuen, who left government in 2023 after serving as the first director of the Bangkok ETO and concurrently served as director general of its Jakarta office, is now contesting a seat on Ealing Council in London.

He also previously served as the government’s assistant commissioner for tourism and as administrative assistant to former commerce minister Gregory So Kam-leung.

His candidacy was disclosed in a notice issued by the council’s Electoral Services Office. The election is scheduled for May 7.

In response to the South China Morning Post’s inquiry, a Civil Service Bureau spokesman said a rigorous mechanism was in place to regulate the post-service employment of directorate civil servants, aiming to balance the public interest with an individual’s right to work.

Under current regulations, directorate civil servants at D2 level on the Directorate Pay Scale — the rank typically held by ETO directors — are subject to a two-year control period, during which they must seek prior approval before taking up outside employment.

Lee, who has has already cleared his applicable control period, declined an interview, citing the ongoing election campaign.