***************************

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today (Tuesday) announced the appointment of Mr C Y Leung as the Convenor of the Executive Council with effect from July 1, 1999.

The present Convenor, Dr S Y Chung, will retire after June 30, 1999 on the expiry of his two-year term. For the time being, the vacancy in the Executive Council arising from the retirement of Dr Chung will not be filled.

In making the announcement, Mr Tung thanked Dr Chung for his invaluable contribution to Hong Kong in the last three to four decades and his wise counsel and advice in the last two years to help the Government overcome many difficulties.

Since Dr Chung started his public service in the 1960s, he has made tremendous contribution to the promotion of Hong Kong's industries, and did a great deal of work as Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council. He has also helped Hong Kong to establish three tertiary institutions and the Hospital Authority.

Mr Tung said Dr Chung's greatest contribution was in furthering the smooth transition of Hong Kong. In the last few years, with his long experience of serving on the Executive and Legislative Councils, he has played a most important role in furthering the work of the Preparatory Committee and the Executive Council.

Turning to the appointment of Mr C Y Leung, Mr Tung noted that Mr Leung had served in a variety of capacities in the Housing Authority, Land Development Corporation, Industrial Estates Corporation and the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation. Throughout the period leading up to Hong Kong's reunification, Mr Leung was very actively involved in the drafting of the Basic Law and its implementation. As Vice-Chairman of the Preparatory Committee, he made a most significant contribution in helping to pave the way for the smooth transition of Hong Kong.

End/Tuesday, June 15, 1999

NNNN