*********************************************************
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at a media session on appointment of Under Secretaries at the Central Government Offices, Main Wing, today (May 20):
I would like to announce that I have appointed the first batch of eight Under Secretaries at the rank of Deputy Directors of Bureau.
The appointments mark a key milestone in Hong Kongˇ¦s development of its accountability system. The appointees will assist the respective bureau secretaries in implementing my policy blueprint and agenda to better serve the community.
The new Under Secretaries are drawn from the finance, legal and medical professions, as well as academia and the media. One of them is an Administrative Officer.
I am impressed by their commitment and passion in serving Hong Kong. They will certainly bolster the strength and capacity of our team of political appointees.
As the political appointment of Under Secretaries and Political Assistants is a new arrangement, there is bound to be a period of transition. However, I am confident that they will work closely as a team with the bureau secretaries and our highly professional civil servants in serving Hong Kong.
The Information Services Department will soon release the list of the first batch of eight Under Secretaries. The process of appointing additional political appointees is still under way. We will make further announcements on the remaining posts of Under Secretaries and Political Assistants in due course.
Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:10
NNNN
Windows Media format
Real Media format
