Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the reshuffle of the Executive Council here Tuesday, appointing five new members familiar with the Chinese mainland affairs into the city's policy-making body.
Veteran Legislative Councilor Lau Wong-fat, Prof. Lawrence Lau, solicitor Anna Wu, chairman of the Hong Kong-U.S. Business Council Marjorie Yang and V Nee Yeh.
The appointment of the five new members will take effect from Jan. 21, 2009. The Executive Council of the HKSAR is an organ for assisting the HKSAR Chief Executive in policy-making.
At a press briefing to introduce the new members, Tsang said the new members have a deep understanding across the spectrum of public affairs ranging from district affairs, social policies, business and financial services to economics and education.
Hailing the new members as "astute, perceptive and committed to Hong Kong," Tsang said they have excelled in their respective fields and varied backgrounds.
"Yet they share a common strength: They all have a thorough appreciation of the rapid development of the Chinese mainland," Tsang noted, "this will certainly have a positive impact on Hong Kong's strategy in participating in the development of the entire country and the Pearl River Delta region in particular."
He said their professional knowledge and rich experience in public service will no doubt help the HKSAR government formulate policies as responsive as they are visionary.
Hong Kong is in the grip of the global financial turmoil, so the HKSAR government must formulate solid and timely policies while also riding the wave of opportunities amid the crisis, Tsang stressed.
The new appointees accepted the appointment at this critical juncture "is reflective of their sense of duty to Hong Kong as well as their courage to rise to the challenge," he said.
The Chief Executive also expressed gratitude to the five outgoing ExCo members - Rafael Hui, Andrew Liao, Bernard Chan, Henry Fan and Victor Lo.
(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2009)