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The Government announced today (February 16) that Director of Social Welfare Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, will serve as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour)/Commissioner for Labour on April 1, 2007. He will succeed Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung who will retire after 34 years of service.
Commenting on the appointment, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Miss Denise Yue, said Mr Tang was a seasoned Administrative Officer with rich experience in public administration and proven leadership and management abilities. "I am confident that he will continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication in his new capacity, and ably lead his colleagues to meet the challenges ahead,¡¨ Miss Yue said.
She said Mr Cheung had served with drive and commitment in the civil service throughout the years.
"He has rendered 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and has made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong in various spheres, especially in the labour, manpower and education sectors. During his tenure as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour)/Commissioner for Labour, he has made commendable efforts in tackling the unemployment problem as well as in promoting harmonious labour relations and good employment practices. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement.¡¨
Brief biographical notes on the two officers are set out below:
Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, JP
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Aged 56. Mr Cheung joined the Information Officer Grade of the Government in July, 1972. He transferred to the Administrative Service in September, 1979, and was promoted to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in September, 2004.
Mr Cheung has served in various bureaux and departments including the former Finance Branch, Home Affairs Department, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Government House, the former Industry Department, the former Trade Department, the former Financial Secretary¡¦s Office, Judiciary and Central Policy Unit. He was Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower from March, 1996, to January, 1999, Commissioner for Labour from January, 1999, to June, 2000, and Director of Education from June, 2000, to June, 2002. He has been Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour), later retitled as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour)/Commissioner for Labour, since July, 2002.
Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, JP
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Aged 51. Mr Tang joined the Administrative Service in October, 1978, and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April, 2005.
Mr Tang has served in various bureaux and departments including Social Welfare Department, Home Affairs Department, the former Social Services Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Urban Services Department, the former Lands and Works Branch, the former New Airport Project Co-ordination Office, the former Chief Secretary's Office and Civil Service Bureau. He was Secretary-General of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service from August, 1998, to December, 1999, Deputy Secretary of the former Environment and Food Bureau from January, 2000, to April, 2001, and Deputy Secretary for Transport (later renamed Deputy Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works) from May, 2001, to October, 2003. He has been Director of Social Welfare since November, 2003.
Ends/Friday, February 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:00
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