Hui to serve as non-official in ExCo
By Max Kong (HK Edition)

Retiring chief secretary for administration Rafael Hui will continue to serve on the Executive Council (ExCo) from July 1 as a non-official member.

This was revealed yesterday as Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced the third-term ExCo membership.

Besides Hui, the ExCo will comprise 15 existing non-official members, and 15 principal officials appointed under the accountability system. Their term will take effect from July 1.

The other non-official members are Leung Chun-ying, Tsang Yok-sing, Cheng Yiu-tong, Andrew Liao, Selina Chow, Laura Cha, Bernard Chan, Rafael Hui, Charles Lee, Ronald Arculli, David Li, Leong Che-hung, Marvin Cheung, Henry Fan, Victor Lo and Anthony Cheung.

The re-appointment of all the 15 non-official members, the CE said, is meant to "maintain continuity".

Commenting on Hui's appointment, Tsang said he had a wealth of experience in public administration, having served in many senior positions both in government and in public organizations.

He pointed out the diverse backgrounds of the members of the new ExCo, including the professional services, financial and banking services, business, legal services, labour and political sectors, and the academia.

"The team has been working closely together for the past two years and has an in-depth understanding of developments in Hong Kong.

"I firmly believe that the non-official members will continue to bring to the council views from all sections of the community, and offer sound and insightful counsel to the administration," he said.

"This will surely make our policies more responsive to public aspirations and more conducive to the long-term development of Hong Kong," Tsang said.

The CE has also invited Leung Chun-ying, currently convenor of ExCo non-official members, to take up the post again in the new ExCo in order to "maintain effective liaison and communication among non-official members".

3 senior appointments

Cheung Siu-hing, Deputy Secretary for Security, will take over as Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation on July 16, 2007;

Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, Permanent Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, will be Commissioner for Labour on July 1, 2007; and

Betty Fung Ching Suk-yee, Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, will assume the post of Director of Information Services on July 16, 2007.

(HK Edition 06/26/2007 page6)