Chen Wei-an

Chen Wei‑on, GBS (Kenneth Chen Wei‑on; born 1965) is Supervisor of Law Ting Pong Secondary School and Secretary‑General of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He previously served as Under Secretary for Education and as Director of Racing Services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Education

Chen Wei‑on graduated in 1977 from Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Section. From 1977 to 1982 he attended Diocesan Boys’ School, then earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering from Princeton University (1987), a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, and an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

On 22 April 2015, he was appointed Independent School Manager of Law Ting Pong Secondary School.

Career

From 1998 to 2000, Chen served as part‑time advisor to the Central Policy Unit. In 2000 he joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and he has been a member of the Committee on Professional and Teacher Education. Prior to his appointment as Under Secretary for Education, he was Convenor of the Research Group at the Policy Think Tank established by David Li, then Vice‑Chairman of Standard Chartered Asia. On 28 June 2012, he was appointed Secretary‑General of the Legislative Council Secretariat.

Controversies

Under‑secretary Salary Disclosure

In June 2008, after his appointment as Under Secretary, the government initially refused to disclose his remuneration. Following public pressure, it released the salary details for under‑secretaries and political assistants; Chen was among five under‑secretaries earning the top salary of HK$223,585 per month. A survey found 60% of respondents considered under‑secretary pay too high.

“Stables Politics” Allegation

Chen, previously convenor of the think‑tank founded by Antony Leung, was accused by Democratic Party member Cheung Man‑kwong of “stables politics”—favoring appointments from his own network over sector expertise.

Wife’s Defiance of School Closure Order

On 12 June 2009, during the H1N1 influenza outbreak, the Education Bureau ordered all primary and kindergarten classes to suspend. Chen’s wife, Wang Hong‑hong, advised other parents to organize their own graduation ceremonies despite the suspension order, drawing criticism for flouting public health measures. Chen stated he was not involved in school matters.

International School Controversy

On 27 April 2010, during a university lecture, Chen was criticized for sending his sons to international schools, raising concerns about his commitment to local education.

2016 Legislative Council President Election

In October 2016, questions arose over the Secretariat’s handling of the President election: whether candidate Andrew Leung met nationality requirements and whether certain legislators had legitimately taken their oaths. Opposition members had their voting rights withheld, while pro‑establishment members were allowed to vote, leading to allegations of double standards and procedural unfairness.

Political Screening Allegations

In May 2019, pro‑democracy legislators and a former security officer accused the Secretariat of requiring staff to declare political affiliations (“blue” or “yellow”), without a “neutral” option, and of retaliating against those who refused, prompting calls for Chen’s resignation and questions about the Secretariat’s neutrality.