Press Releases
New team of Principal Officials appointed
The Central People's Government has, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, approved the appointments of Principal Officials under the accountability system.
Also appointed are five Principal Officials heading the disciplined services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Audit Commission for the second term of the HKSAR Government.
The 14 Principal Officials are appointed under the accountability system on non-civil service terms for a period not exceeding five years. They are:
Secretaries of Departments
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Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen
Financial Secretary, Mr Antony Leung Kam-chung
Secretary for Justice, Ms Elsie Leung Oi-sie
Directors of Bureaux
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Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen
Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen Ming-yeung
Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung
Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong
Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph Wong Wing-ping
Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho Chi-ping
Secretary for Security, Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip Shu-kwan
Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao Sau-tung
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Frederick Ma Si-hang
Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam Sui-lung
Commenting on the appointments today (June 24), Mr Tung said, "I am delighted that more than half of my team have come from the civil service, and that I can retain and build on the experience, professionalism and expertise of senior civil service colleagues."
He welcomed the five new members recruited from the business, professional and academic sectors, Mr Tang, Professor Li, Dr Ho, Dr Liao and Mr Ma, to join the upper echelon of the Government. "They will bring in new talent, ideas and perspectives in helping Hong Kong overcome challenges in the coming years," he said.
The five Principal Officials heading the disciplined services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Audit Commission are:
Commissioner of Police, Mr Tsang Yam-pui
Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption, Mr Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong
Director of Audit, Mr Dominic Chan Yin-tat
Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu
Director of Immigration, Mr Lai Tung-kwok
Mr Tung expressed confidence that his team of Principal Officials would work closely with him to serve the people of Hong Kong with devotion and dedication.
Following are the biographical notes on the Principal Officials:
Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen
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Aged 57. Mr Tsang first joined the Civil Service in 1967 and was appointed an Administrative Officer in 1971. During the early years of his career, he held a variety of posts in the Administration dealing with finance, trade and policies relating to the future of Hong Kong. Mr Tsang was appointed Deputy Secretary of General Duties Branch in 1985 and became the Director-General of Trade (and Chief Trade Negotiator) in 1991. In May 1993, he was promoted to Secretary for the Treasury to take charge of the overall resource allocation of the Hong Kong Government and the taxation systems.
Mr Tsang was appointed the Financial Secretary in September 1995, making him the first Chinese to assume the principal post. He became the first Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government on July 1, 1997.
Mr Antony Leung Kam-chung
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Aged 50. Before assuming his present post of Financial Secretary on May 1, 2001, Mr Leung served in senior management positions of major international banks in Hong Kong. He joined the Chase Manhattan Corporation in 1996, which was renamed J. P. Morgan Chase & Co. following the merger of Chase and J. P. Morgan in 2000. He was Asia-Pacific Chairman for the firm. Prior to this, Mr Leung spent 23 years with Citicorp where he took regional management positions in investment banking, corporate and private banking in Hong Kong, New York, Singapore and Manila.
In the public arena, Mr Leung was a non-official member of the Executive Council from July 1997 to April 2001. He was Chairman of the Education Commission (April 1998-April 2001), Chairman of the University Grants Committee (1993-1998), Member of the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee (1993-2001), Member of the Board of the Airport Authority and the Provisional Airport Authority (1990-1998), and Director of the Hong Kong Futures Exchange (1987-1990).
Ms Elsie Leung Oi-sie
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Aged 63. She qualified as a solicitor and started her practice in 1968. Before her appointment as Secretary for Justice, she served on various government boards and committees, including the Independent Police Complaints Council, Equal Opportunities Commission, Social Welfare Advisory Committee and Inland Revenue Board of Review. Ms Leung passed her Law Society Qualifying Examinations in 1967 and obtained her LL.M Degree, HKU, in 1988. She is a past President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers.
In the period leading up to the reunification, Ms Leung advised the Chief Executive (Designate) on legal matters relating to the establishment of the HKSAR. On July 1, 1997, Ms Leung became the first Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR.
Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen
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Aged 50. Mr Tang is Chairman of Peninsula Knitters Limited and Meadville Technologies Group Limited.
Mr Tang is currently Member of the Executive Council. He also served in the Legislative Council for a number of years. His other community service includes Chairman, Federation of Hong Kong Industries (1995-2001), Council Member, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (1995-2001) and Committee Member, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce (since 1994).
Over the past few years, Mr Tang has been responsible for reviewing the construction industry in Hong Kong. He was appointed Chairman of the Construction Industry Review Committee in 2000 and Chairman of the Provisional Construction Industry Co-ordination Board in 2001. He also served on the Textile Advisory Board, Labour Advisory Board and Provisional Employees Retraining Board.
Mr Michael Suen Ming-yeung
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Aged 57. Mr Suen joined the Government in 1966 as an Administrative Officer and was promoted to his present rank of Director of Bureau in January 1991. During the early years of his career, he served in the former New Territories Administration, Resettlement Department and Environment Branch. Mr Suen was Deputy Secretary for Transport in September 1981; Director, City Services in the Urban Services Department in November 1983 and Deputy Director, Regional Services Department in April 1985. Mr Suen became Director of Regional Services in June 1986 and Regional Secretary (New Territories) of the City and New Territories Administration in December 1987.
Mr Suen was appointed Secretary for Constitutional Affairs in March 1989 and Secretary for Home Affairs in November 1991. Between March and early July in 1997, he was on temporary secondment to the Chief Executive's Office as the Secretary for Policy Coordination. He resumed his post as Secretary for Home Affairs on July 8, 1997 and took up his present appointment as Secretary for Constitutional Affairs on August 4, 1997.
Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung
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Aged 57. Professor Arthur K.C. Li is the Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
During his tenure, the University has made significant progress in many areas and its Faculty of Medicine has achieved breakthroughs in many research projects.
Professor Li has served as Member of the Education Commission and Member of the Committee on Science and Technology. His other public service included the Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Medical Council, College of Surgeons of Hong Kong and the Hospital Governing Committee of United Christian Hospital. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, and Vice-President of the Association of University Presidents of China.
Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong
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Aged 56. He was appointed the first Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority in January 1994. Before joining the Hospital Authority, Dr Yeoh served in the Government for 19 years. He first joined the civil service as an intern in 1971 and was appointed Medical and Health Officer in July 1972. He became Consultant Physician in 1979. In December 1990, Dr Yeoh joined the newly established Hospital Authority as Director of Operations overseeing and coordinating the operations of public hospitals in Hong Kong. He was appointed a Principal Official and took up his present post of Secretary for Health and Welfare in September 1999.
Mr Joseph Wong Wing-ping
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Aged 53. Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1973 and was promoted to his present rank of Director of Bureau in June 1996. Senior positions held by Mr Wong in recent years include: Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service (January 1988 - December 1989); Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry (December 1989 - July 1991); Hong Kong's Permanent Representative to GATT (August 1991 - August 1994) and Director of Home Affairs (December 1994 - August 1995). He became Secretary for Education and Manpower in September 1995 and was appointed a Principal Official in July 1997. He took up his present post of Secretary for the Civil Service in August 2000.
Dr Patrick Ho Chi-ping
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Aged 52. Dr Ho is a practising ophthalmologist. Upon completion of his secondary education in Hong Kong, he continued his studies in the United States where he completed a Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr Ho joined the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1984 after 16 years study and training abroad and was appointed Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology) in 1988. He has held clinical and honorary appointments at many universities and hospitals in the Mainland.
Dr Ho has contributed greatly to the promotion of cultural and arts development in Hong Kong. He is chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and member of the Board of Governors of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also been a founding member of several orchestras.
Currently Dr Ho is Vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Policy Research Institute. His past public service includes member of the Preparatory Committee on Chinese Medicine and the Provisional Urban Council.
Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee
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Aged 51. Mrs Ip joined the Administrative Service in September 1975 and was promoted to her present rank of Director of Bureau in May 2000. Over the years, she served in a number of Secretariat bureaux and departments including Civil Service Branch, Home Affairs Department, the former New Territories Administration and later the City and New Territories Administration, Security Branch, Trade Department, Chief Secretary's Office and Trade and Industry Branch.
She was Deputy Director of Administration from 1990 to 1993 and Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry from 1993 to 1995. She was appointed Director-General of Industry in September 1995 and Director of Immigration in August 1996. She was appointed a Principal Official in July 1997. She took up her present position as Secretary for Security in August 1998.
Mr Stephen Ip Shu-kwan
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Aged 50. Mr Ip joined the Administrative Service in November 1973 and was promoted to his present rank of Director of Bureau in April 1997. Senior positions held by Mr Ip include: Principal Assistant Secretary for Monetary Affairs (January - November 1987); Deputy Secretary for Monetary Affairs (December 1987 - November 1992); Special Assistant to the then Deputy President of the Legislative Council (November 1992 - March 1993); Commissioner of Insurance (May 1993 - December 1994); Commissioner for Labour (December 1994 - March 1996). He was appointed Secretary for Economic Services in June 1996 and was appointed a Principal Official in July 1997. He took up his present post of Secretary for Financial Services in June 2000.
Dr Sarah Liao Sau-tung
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Aged 51. Dr Sarah Liao is Managing Director for Greater China, CH2M Hill Ltd., responsible for managing environmental and infrastructure operations.
Dr Liao became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 1995 and Fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers in 1996. Over the past years, she has been actively involved in environmental protection work and has helped to promote the development of many green groups. She also chaired several international conferences on the subject. In 2001, Dr Liao participated in the Beijing Olympics Bid Committee as their environmental specialist.
Her past service on boards and committees include chairman of the Research and Testing Committee of the Consumer Council (1988 - 1996), member of the Occupational Safety Council (1990 - 1992), and member of the Building Committee of the Housing Authority (1996 - 2000). Currently she is a member of the Air Pollution Appeal Board, the Research Grant Council of the University Grants Committee, and an assessment panel and vetting committee under the Innovation and Technology Fund.
Mr Frederick Ma Si-hang
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Aged 50. Mr Ma is Group Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Century Cyberworks Limited. He is also an executive director and member of the Executive Committee of the Group.
Mr Ma holds a number of public service positions including the Listing Committee of the Growth Enterprise Market of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the Takeovers and Mergers Panel of the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission.
Mr Ma has more than 20 years experience in the global financial services industry. He has served in key posts in J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Chase Manhattan Bank, Kumagai Gumi (HK) Limited and RBC Dominion Securities Limited. He worked in New York, Toronto and London for nearly 10 years.
Mr Stephen LAM Sui-lung
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Aged 46. Mr Lam joined the Administrative Service in October 1978 and rose to his present rank of Director of Bureau in August 2001. Senior positions held by Mr Lam over the years include: Administrative Assistant to the Chief Secretary (1989 - 1991); Director, Toronto (1991 - 1994); Deputy Secretary for Constitutional Affairs (1994 - 1996); Senior Administrative Assistant to the Chief Secretary (April - December 1996); Director, Handover Ceremony Coordination Office (1996 - 1997). He was appointed Director of Administration and Development in Department of Justice in December 1997. He took up his present post of Information Coordinator in January 1999.
Mr Tsang Yam-pui
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Aged 55. Mr Tsang joined the Hong Kong Police Force as an Inspector in January 1966. He has held a variety of posts during his 36 years service with the Force, including duties in the Uniform Branch and as a detective officer in the Anti-Corruption Office, Illegal Immigration Intelligence Bureau and the Narcotics Bureau. He was District Commander, Yaumatei and Shamshuipo in 1984-1987; head of the Narcotics Bureau in 1987-1989; head of Crime Wing in 1992-1994; Regional Commander, Hong Kong Island in 1994; Director of Crime & Security responsible for both Crime Wing and the Security Wing in 1995. He was Deputy Commissioner (Management) in 1996-1999, responsible for all management aspects of the Force including personnel management, training, service quality, information technology, finance and planning. He took up his present appointment of Commissioner of Police in January 2000.
Mr Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong
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Aged 53. Mr Lee joined the Immigration Officer grade of the Government in January 1974 and rose to his present rank of Director of Immigration in October 1998. Over the years, Mr Lee has served in various sections of the Immigration Department and has amassed rich experience in a full range of immigration matters, including those on investigation, prosecution, issue of visa and passports, border control and right of abode. He was commended by previous Directors on various occasions for his outstanding performance.
Mr Dominic Chan Yin-tat
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Aged 58. Mr Chan joined the Government as an Auditor in February 1969. He was promoted to Senior Auditor in October 1976, to Principal Auditor in July 1980, to Assistant Director of Audit in August 1982 and to Deputy Director of Audit in May 1993. He took up his present post of Director of Audit in November 1995.
Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu
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Aged 44. Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1980 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 1999. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including 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. Mr Wong was appointed to his present position of Commissioner of Customs and Excise in July 2001.
Mr Lai Tung-kwok
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Aged 50. Mr Lai joined the Government as an Assistant Immigration Officer in December 1973. He was promoted to Immigration Officer in September 1980, to Senior Immigration Officer in September 1986, to Chief Immigration Officer in February 1990, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in May 1992, to Principal Immigration Officer in October 1995, to Senior Principal Immigration Officer in April 1997 and to Assistant Director of Immigration in February 1999. He was promoted to the present rank of Deputy Director of Immigration in January 2001.
Monday, June 24, 2002