CE vows to deliver with 'committed' team
By Max Kong (HK Edition)

Describing his new cabinet line-up as "professional, pragmatic and committed" Chief Executive (CE) Donald Tsang introduced them to Hong Kong people on Saturday after their appointments had been approved by the central government.

With the entire cabinet standing beside him, Tsang promised the public in a press conference that the third-term principal officials would work single-mindedly to fulfil the pledges he had made in his election manifesto.

The new team includes three secretaries of departments and 12 directors of bureaus, who are politically appointed and on non-civil service terms.

In the new line-up, which will come into effect from July 1, Financial Secretary Henry Tang will replace Rafael Hui as the chief secretary for administration, and Director of the Chief Executive's Office John Tsang will take over as financial secretary. Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung will remain in his current position.

As for the directors of bureaus, the new team saw the injection of new blood while retaining half of the original members, which the CE explained is a way to ensure stability and continuity.

Four incumbent directors will more or less carry on with their current work.

Stephen Lam, secretary for constitutional affairs, will continue to oversee constitutional development, but his bureau will take on the new name of Constitutional Development and Mainland Affairs Bureau so as to reflect his fresh responsibilities.

York Chow, secretary for health, welfare and food, will retain his portfolios of "food" and "health" but no longer handle welfare issues. Hence he will be secretary for food and health.

Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, secretary for security, and Denise Yue Chung-yee, secretary for the civil service, will stay put.

Two incumbent directors will switch to new jobs.

Michael Suen, secretary for housing, planning and lands, will become secretary for education; and Frederick Ma, secretary for financial services and the treasury, will serve as secretary for commerce and economic development.

There are six newcomers to the politically appointed team, with two of whom coming from outside the civil service and one returning from retirement.

Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, permanent secretary for home affairs, has been appointed secretary for development to head the newly formed Development Bureau.

Edward Yau Tang-wah, director of information services, will be secretary for the environment.

Eva Cheng, permanent secretary for economic development and labour (economic development), has been appointed secretary for transport and housing.

Coming from outside the administrative officer grade is Tsang Tak-sing, a member of the government think-tank Central Policy Unit, who will replace Patrick Ho as secretary for home affairs.

K C Chan, currently Dean of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and a newcomer to the government, will take up the post of secretary for financial services and the treasury.

Cheung Kin-chung, who retired in March from the position of permanent secretary for economic development and labour (labour), has been appointed secretary for labour and welfare.

New blood

Referring to those who are new to the team of principal officials, the CE reassured the public that they are all very familiar with the process of public policy-making, and those from the administrative officer grade are well experienced in public administration.

Tsang pointed out that the new secretary for home affairs Tsang Tak-sing has worked in the government for some time and "has a good grasp of government operations".

Talking about K C Chan, Tsang underlined his expertise in financial and economic affairs and his wide public service experience in many government committees and bodies.

'For a better HK'

"All members of my new team have displayed in their work a strong sense of pragmatism that I promote," he stressed.

He said the newly appointed principal officials "share a common commitment to our country, our territory and our people".

"I have chosen them solely for their abilities without regard to their background. Importantly, they share my governing philosophy. Given their talents and abilities, they are the best candidates for these senior positions. Together they will make a great team. This professional, pragmatic and committed new team will single-mindedly work with me to deliver on the pledges I made in my election platform.

The CE thanked the outgoing chief secretary Rafael Hui and the five directors of bureaus for "their patriotism and passion to serve the community".

The five directors are Secretary for Education Arthur Li; Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho; Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao; Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph Wong; and Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip.

Summing up the new administration, Tsang said it will be a "people-based" government.

"I have asked all principal officials to reach out to the community, to talk with the general public, to feel the public pulse and to embrace public sentiment. By doing so, our policies may truly meet the needs of our people.

"This new team signals the start of a new term, new ideas and new initiatives."

He promised that the new administration will step up cooperation with the Legislative Council and the community in order to "create a better future for everyone who lives here".

With the new team in place, he reasserted the pledges he made in his election platform, namely, to maintain Hong Kong's status as an international financial hub and keeping up the impetus of infrastructural development while preserving the environment and heritage.

The new administration will also strive to improve the quality of life in Hong Kong, such as better air quality and food safety, and help the poor. It will continue to better Hong Kong's human resources by continuous investment in education and a very liberal immigration policy, and design a very robust health policy and prolong every citizen's economic lifespan.

Finally Tsang vowed to endeavor to deliver universal suffrage in the election of CE and the legislature in his new term.

Other appointments

Also appointed on the same day were the principal officials heading the disciplined services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the Audit Commission. They are the Commissioner of Police Tang King-shing; the Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption Timothy Tong Hin-ming; the Director of Audit Benjamin Tang; the Director of Immigration Lai Tung-kwok; and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise Richard Yuen Ming-fai.

Norman Chan Tak-lam, vice-chairman, Asia, Standard Chartered Bank, was appointed director of the Chief Executive's Office to replace John Tsang.

Meanwhile, Lau Siu-kai will continue to serve as Head of Central Policy Unit.

(HK Edition 06/25/2007 page6)