Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Tung Chee-hwa announced on Monday the appointment of four principal government officials.
Tung announced at a news conference that according to relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and his nominations and suggestions, the State Council, or the central government, has appointed Tang Ying-yen as financial secretary of the SAR government, Lee Siu-kwong as secretary for security, Tsang Chun-wah as secretary for commerce, industry and technology, and Wong Hung-chiu as commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
"I think the public know every one of them well. They all have excellent leadership skills and a wealth of experience," Tung said.
Tang Ying-yen came from the business sector. Before joining the government, Tang served in various public service posts. The chief executive said that after working in the government for more than a year, Tang has gained a good grasp of its structure and operation.
"Tang is also very familiar with the operation of the market. He is the best choice for the financial secretary's post," Tung added.
The other three officials have been serving the government for years and have in-depth understanding of the government and how the policy process works, said Tung, adding that he is confident that "they will do an excellent job."
"I am also confident that the financial secretary and the three other principal officials will help us move towards a more open, progressive and efficient government, to work for the interests of the people of Hong Kong and do their utmost to serve the public," Tung said.
"I hope they can count on the support of the community as we work together for the development of Hong Kong," said Tung.
Tang Ying-yen -- Newly-appointed HK Financial Secretary
Tang Ying-yen was appointed on Saturday as financial secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government by the State Council, or the central government of China.
Tang had served as Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region since July 2002 to deal with policies in relation to information technology, telecommunications, broadcasting, film services, innovation and technology, external commercial relations, industry and business support, intellectual property protection and inward investment promotion.
Tang has a long record of public service. He has been a member of the Executive Council since 1997. He served as a member of the Legislative Council for seven years from 1991 to 1998.
Tang has also served extensively on various government boards and public bodies, including the Trade Development Council, Town Planning Board, University Grants Committee, Council of the City University of Hong Kong and Services Promotion Strategy Group in the Electronics and Textile industries.
Before joining the government, Tang was a leading industrialist in Hong Kong. He received the Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong in 1989 and was selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 1993. He served as chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries between 1995 and 2001.
He was also a Committee Member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and a Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. In 2000, he received the Gold Bauhinia Star Award of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Tang was born in Hong Kong in 1952. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan. He is married with four children.
Lee Siu-Kwong -- Newly Appointed HKSAR Secretary for Security
Lee Siu-Kwong, 54, became director of immigration of the first HKSAR government in October 1998 and was appointed as commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) of the 2ndHKSAR government on June 2002 by the State Council, China's central government.
Lee graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the University of Hong Kong. He also received professional training in Beijing-based Tsinghua (Qinghua) University, London-based Oxford University, and Harvard University of the United States.
As the ICAC commissioner, Lee believed that Hong Kong should better crack down on corruption, improve law enforcement and prevention of crimes, and that the ICAC should strengthen ties with its Chinese mainland and international counterparts in its future work.
Tsang Chun-wah -- HK's New Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology
Tsang Chun-wah, 52, joined the Hong Kong civil service in November 1982. From 1987 to 1991, he served as the administrative assistant to the financial secretary. He was assistant director-general of trade from 1991 to early 1995 and private secretary to the Hong Kong governor from 1995 to June 1997.
Tsang became director-general of the London Economic and Trade Office from July 1997 to February 1999, commissioner of customs and excise from March 1999 to July 2001 and secretary for planning and lands from July 2001 to June 2002. He was appointed as permanent secretary for housing, planning and lands (planning and lands) on July 1, 2002.
Wong Hung-chiu -- HK's New Commissioner of Independent Commission Against Corruption
Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, 46, joined the Hong Kong civil service in August 1980 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in July 2002. He had served in various bureaus and departments, including the Social Welfare Department, Home Affairs Branch, Health and Welfare Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Office of Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Legal Department and the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office.
He was commissioner for narcotics in the Security Branch from January to December 1996, served as deputy director of the Handover Ceremony Co-ordination Office of the Chief Secretary's Office from January to July 1997 and was deputy secretary for security from August 1997 to July 2001. Wong was appointed to the position of commissioner of customs and excise in July 2001.
As the commissioner of customs and excise, Wong committed himself to the fight against smuggling, piracy and other illegal activities. He attaches importance to strengthening cooperation with the customs on the Chinese mainland, and increasing the efficiency of passing customs to meet the demand of personnel exchange and logistics distribution between the two sides.
(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2003)
