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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, issued the following statement today (June 24):

"The Chairman of the Housing Authority, Dr. Rosanna Wong Yick-ming, has tendered her resignation. It is with reluctance that I have accepted her resignation, but I respect her personal decision. Pending the appointment of a new Chairman, I have asked Dr. Wong to stay on as Chairman up to the end of September in order to ensure a smooth transition.

"I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Dr. Wong's service as Chairman of the Housing Authority in the last seven years. During this period, Dr. Wong has served the community with utmost dedication in steering through policy reforms, in driving the implementation of the public housing programme and in initiating a series of reforms of the Housing Department to improve estate management, housing construction and other areas.

"The process of reform initiated by Dr. Wong and the Housing Authority will continue. We are committed to providing Hong Kong people with high quality public housing and to meeting the highest safety standards in public housing construction. I call on the Members of the Housing Authority to carry on the mission which they have initiated together with Dr. Wong.

"Much of the Housing Authority's achievements in the last seven years is due to Dr. Wong's leadership and ability. Dr. Wong's service to the Housing Authority will be sorely missed. Over the years, Dr. Wong has also made an enormous contribution in many other areas covering youth services, social services, tertiary education and law reform. I and my Government colleagues much look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Wong to serve our community. I have every confidence that Dr. Wong will continue to make a most important contribution to Hong Kong in the years ahead."

End/ Saturday, June 24, 2000

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