Chief Executive Carrie Lam will get an extra HK$120,000 in pay this financial year, with her annual salary hitting HK$5.21 million.

The increase was revealed in response to a question by the Civic Party's Tanya Chan as Legco prepares to vet this year's budget.

Eunice Yung from the New People’s Party asked whether instead of a rise, the CE could take a pay cut, to show solidarity with Hongkongers struggling through the coronavirus pandemic.

The government said Lam and her ministers will make "timely responses" should the situation deteriorate.

In February, the government said Lam and her cabinet would each donate a month's salary to the Community Chest to show solidarity with the public amid the slowing economy.

Singapore had announced a similar move earlier in the day for its senior officials.

The CE is one of the highest paid leaders in the world.