Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rumored visit to Hong Kong to mark the city’s 25th anniversary of Chinese rule was cast into doubt, after top officials in the city were infected with COVID-19.
Two members of incoming Chief Executive John Lee’s cabinet have tested positive for the virus, the government revealed in a Thursday statement. Lee and his government are due to be sworn in on July 1, at a ceremony that the Chinese leader was widely tipped to attend.
Mainland Affairs Secretary Erick Tsang, who keeps his post in the next government, and incoming Chief Secretary Eric Chan are now both in isolation. Chan has been isolating since June 21, the statement said, after his wife tested positive for the virus. Chan and Tsang went to work last on Monday and Wednesday, respectively. Permanent Secretary for Development Ricky Lau is also infected.
