District Officer (Hong Kong)

The District Officer ( zh, 民政事務專員) is a directorate public officer and a head of the District Office in Hong Kong. The District Officer (DO) is also the top representative of the Hong Kong Government at the district level. The positions of the District Officers were established in urban Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Kowloon in 1968. DOs have served as the commanders of Care Teams in 18 political areas since 2023, and as chairmen of District Councils from 2024. The District Officer is assisted by the Assistant District Officer (ADO), who is an administrative officer (AO) or a senior administrative officer (SAO). All DOs are appointed to the " Justices of the peace" (JP) by the Chief Secretary for Administration or Chief Executive of Hong Kong by convention.

Duties and powers

The District Officer has the responsibility of overseeing directly the operation of the District Administration Scheme in the district, and chairing the District Management Committee in each district which is a government committee consisting of representatives of the core departments in the district. DO is charged with implementing and co-ordinating the execution of district programmes, ensuring that the advice of the District Council is properly followed up, and promoting residents' participation in district affairs. In addition, DO is required to maintain close liaison with different sectors of the community and reflect their concerns and problems to the government. It is his duty to ensure that district problems are resolved promptly through inter-departmental consultation and co-operation. Also, DO acts as a link between the District Council and departments and serves as a mediator between them when problems arise.

The District Officer is also involved with the community at every level. DO has a role to mediate in the resolution of disputes between corporate bodies and residents. DO performs an advisory and liaison role in providing assistance to building management bodies. DO operates a public enquiry service to enable the community to have easy access to services and information provided by government. In emergency situations, the District Officer is responsible for co-ordinating various departments' efforts on the ground for ensuring the effective provision of relief services. DO is also appointed to a returning officer during the elections.

Structure of authority

Incumbent District Officers

}), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 30 June 2020, ,
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, Eastern District, ,
( zh, 陳尚文), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 13 June 2018, ,
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, Southern District, ,
( zh, 鄭港涌), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 31 December 2019, ,
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, Wan Chai District, ,
( zh, 張雁伶), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 9 January 2023, ,
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, Kowloon City District, ,
( zh, 蔡敏君), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 13 July 2020, ,
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, Kwun Tong District, ,
( zh, 何立基), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 3 October 2023, ,
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, Sham Shui Po District, ,
( zh, 黃昕然), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 14 December 2020, ,
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, Wong Tai Sin District, ,
( zh, 胡鉅華), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 3 September 2023, ,
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, Yau Tsim Mong District, ,
( zh, 余健強), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 18 March 2020, ,
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, Kwai Tsing District, ,
( zh, 鄧顯權), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 13 September 2022, ,
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, North District, ,
( zh, 賴子堅), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 31 July 2023, ,
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, Sai Kung District, ,
( zh, 曾俊文), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 16 January 2023, ,
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, Sha Tin District, ,
( zh, 余懷誠), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 25 August 2023, ,
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, Tai Po District, ,
( zh, 陳巧敏), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 25 October 2018, ,
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, Tsuen Wan District, ,
( zh, 區家盛), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 29 November 2021, ,
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, Tuen Mun District, ,
( zh, 關可臨), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 26 June 2023, ,
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, Yuen Long District, ,
( zh, 胡天祐), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 29 April 2021, ,
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, Islands District, ,
( zh, 楊蕙心), , Administrative Officer Staff Grade C (D2), , 18 July 2020, ,

References

{{Districts of Hong Kong

Districts of Hong Kong
Political office-holders in Hong Kong
Positions of the Hong Kong Government