Erick Tsang Kwok-wai has resigned as Hong Kong’s Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, saying he was suffering from prostate cancer and could not cope with the heavy workload.

Beijing made the announcement on Tuesday, ending days of speculation about the departure of the 62-year-old from the cabinet.

According to state news agency Xinhua, the decision by the State Council was based on the recommendation of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and made in accordance with relevant provisions of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution.

This marks the second time in just over a year that Lee has removed ministers from his cabinet. In December 2024, he exited two of them to make way for new faces.

Tsang joined the government as an assistant immigration officer in 1987 and rose through the ranks to become Director of Immigration in 2016.

He took the helm of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau in 2020, after his predecessor, Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, was appointed Secretary for the Civil Service.