Convenor of non-official executive councillors Leung Chun-ying said yesterday that there should not be any restriction on the nationality of deputy directors of government bureaus as there is no such requirement stated in the Basic Law.

Following the government appointment of eight deputy directors last week, there are media reports that three of the deputy directors are holding a foreign passport.

It was reported that Kenneth Chen, Deputy Director for Education, holds a USA passport; while Gregory So, Deputy Director for Commerce and Economic Development, and Gabriel Leung, Deputy Director for Food and Health, are Canadian passport holders.

The reports have triggered discussion that whether these deputy directors should give up their foreign citizenship.

The Basic Law requires principal officials and heads of disciplinary forces hold only the HKSAR passport.

But it does not state whether the same principle applies to second-tier political appointees.

Leung said all political appointments are made according to the Basic Law, and the Basic Law has a lenient requirement on the nationality of political appointees.

"A permanent resident who has lived in Hong Kong for seven years can be a voter, regardless of the person's nationality. Therefore, the nationality of deputy directors should not be an issue," he said.

"I'm afraid that there could be endless arguments if we start adding requirements on top of what is stated in the Basic Law," he said.

Tam Yiu-chung, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said members of the public should discuss the issue as the Basic Law was written before the positions came into existence.

However, he is concerned that adding restriction on nationality might create other problems such as stopping overseas talents from coming to Hong Kong.

On Monday, Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang also commented that there is no nationality restriction in the Basic Law on deputy directors and political assistants.

(HK Edition 05/28/2008 page1)