Matthew Cheung

Matthew Cheung Kin-chung (Chinese: 張建宗) (born 20 November 1950) is a former Hong Kong politician who served as Chief Secretary for Administration from 2017 to 2021. He previously served as the Secretary for Labour and Welfare for ten years.

Matthew Cheung in 2017

Quotes

• In Hong Kong, market forces generally determine the rates of remuneration. While "equal pay for men and women for equal work" is now a generally accepted principle in the local community, the concept of "equal pay for work of equal value" is an entirely new one. To put this concept into operation, an employer must ensure that all workers are given equal remuneration not only for the same job, but also for jobs of a different nature yet having the same value. The determination of wage level shall be guided not only by the "invisible hand" of market forces but also the principle of equality and equity. This means that an employer has to objectively appraise different jobs and determine their relative values.
  • "Speech by Mr Matthew CHEUNG Kin-chung, JP Commissioner for Labour at the Conference on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value"

• As a free market, the remuneration for a job is determined by the supply and demand of a particular skill, hence reflecting the market value which is more objective than an employer's judgement of certain inherent values of different jobs. On the face of it, the implementation of the concept of equal pay for work of equal value seems to be fraught with difficulties and complexities.
  • "Speech by Mr Matthew CHEUNG Kin-chung, JP Commissioner for Labour at the Conference on Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value"

• Meanwhile, Hong Kong puts a lot of emphasis on innovation technology. It ranks very high on our policy agenda. In the last 23 months, we've invested $100 billion into innovation technology. We are doing our very best to put Hong Kong on the IT map, and in fact, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development will strengthen Hong Kong's IT development so that the Greater Bay Area will be Wall Street plus Silicon Valley in the future. This is also what Hong Kong's long-term future is all about. But after all, we rely much on Facebook in our daily life because you are such an important medium of communication, bridging the digital divide and also contributing to our society, assisting the underprivileged and strengthening people-to-people connection.
  • "Speech by CS at opening ceremony of new Facebook office in Hong Kong (with photos/video)" (20 May 2019)

• The Hong Kong government has a constitutional duty to uphold national sovereignty and protect national security.
  • "Hong Kong gov’t says independence activist’s speech ‘totally unacceptable, deeply regrettable’" (31 March 2020)

• Hong Kong has always remained committed to ensuring press freedom, which is part and parcel of the city’s reputation as a vibrant international media hub and global business and financial centre. More than 80 daily newspapers and over 500 periodicals, both local and international, are published in Hong Kong.
  • "Letter: Hong Kong’s national security law protects press freedom" (20 August 2020)

• We will remain a staunch defender of press freedom and a welcoming, hospitable and dynamic city for law-abiding people from around the world.
  • "Letter: Hong Kong’s national security law protects press freedom" (20 August 2020)

• Even dishwashing is a kind of work experience. Having a difficult work experience on your resume may impress employers, who may think you are self-motivated.
  • "University graduates can try dishwashing to gain work experience: Hong Kong Chief Secretary" (2020)