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The Government announced today (March 12) that Mr FONG Chi-wai, Alex, Deputy Secretary for Economic Services, will succeed Miss CHEUNG Man-yee as Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative, Tokyo ("Principal Representative, Tokyo") on May 13, 2002. Miss Cheung will proceed on pre-retirement leave on March 25, 2002.

"Mr Fong has extensive experience in the work of the Government. I am confident that with his knowledge in the areas of overseas promotion, trade, transportation and logistics, Mr Fong will be most effective in enhancing the understanding and interest of Hong Kong in Japan," said the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph W P Wong.

On the retirement of Miss Cheung, Mr Wong said: "Miss Cheung has served in the civil service for 30 years. She has made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong's broadcasting sector, and as the Principal Representative of Hong Kong in Japan, she has contributed to the further development of the relationship between the two economies. We sincerely wish her a happy retirement."

Principal Representative, Tokyo, is head of the SAR Government's Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo.

The following are biographical notes on Mr Fong and Miss Cheung:

Mr Alex Fong

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Aged 45. Mr Fong joined the Government in 1978 as an Administrative Officer and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in January 1996.

Senior positions held by Mr Fong in recent years include: Director, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (1991 - 1995), Deputy Secretary for Security (1995 - 1998) and Deputy Secretary for Transport (1998 - 1999). He has been Deputy Secretary for Economic Services since September 1999.

Miss CHEUNG Man-yee

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Aged 55. Miss Cheung joined the Hong Kong Government in 1972 as a Programme Officer. She rose through the ranks to become Controller (Broadcasting Services) in 1981, Assistant Director of Broadcasting in 1983, and Deputy Director of Broadcasting in 1984. She was promoted to the rank of Director of Broadcasting in January 1986.

Miss Cheung was seconded to the Information Services Department from 1983 to 1986. She was Director of Information Services from 1985 to 1986 immediately before her appointment as Director of Broadcasting. She has been Principal Representative, Tokyo since December 1999.

End/Tuesday, March 12, 2002

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