Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG)

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was born in October 1944, in Hong Kong. He was educated in Hong Kong, completing his studies at the Wah Yan College High School. He later graduated from Harvard University where he received a Master's degree in Public Administration in 1981. He has received honorary doctorates from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the University of Hong Kong.

Donald Tsang joined the Civil Service in January 1967 and has held many positions in the Administration in connection with local administration, finance, trade, and policies relating to the return of Hong Kong to China. In 1977, he was attached to the Asian Development Bank in Manila for a year and worked on water supply and railway development projects in the Philippines and Bangladesh.

As Deputy Secretary of the General Duties Branch between 1985 and 1989, he was responsible for the implementation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Tsang became the Director-General of Trade in 1991, and in May 1993 he was promoted to Secretary of the Treasury. In September 1995, he was appointed Financial Secretary, the first Chinese person to hold the position after 150 years of British incumbents.

He received a knighthood (KBE) from the British Sovereign in June 1997 for his distinguished service to Hong Kong. One month later he became the first Financial Secretary for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG).

On May 1, 2001, Tsang became the Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSARG. He received the Grand Bauhinia Medal from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in June 2002. This is Hong Kong's highest honor, awarded to individuals who show a lifetime commitment to the well being of the region.

Tsang was uncontested in the June 2005 election for the position of Chief Executive of the government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and was formally appointed by the Central People's Government of China on 21 June 2005. His term of office will last until June 30, 2007.

(China.org.cn March 1, 2007)