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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (January 20) announced the appointment of five new members to the Executive Council with effect from tomorrow.
The new appointees are: Mr Lau Wong-fat, Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, Ms Anna Wu Hung-yuk, Ms Marjorie Yang Mun-tak and Mr V Nee Yeh.
"The five members are astute, perceptive and committed to Hong Kong. They also have a deep understanding across the spectrum of public affairs ranging from district affairs, social policies, business, financial services to economics and education," Mr Tsang said.
"They have excelled in their respective fields and yet share a common strength. They all have a thorough appreciation of the rapid development of the Mainland. They will certainly have a positive impact on Hong Kong's strategy in participating in the development of the entire country and the Pearl River Delta region in particular.
"Their professional knowledge and rich experience in public service will no doubt help the SAR Government formulate policies as responsive as they are visionary."
Mr Tsang noted that Hong Kong is in the grip of the financial tsunami. Hong Kong people have pinned high hopes on the Government.
"The fact that the five new appointees have accepted the appointment at this critical juncture is reflective of their sense of duty to Hong Kong as well as their courage to rise to the challenge."
Mr Tsang also expressed his gratitude to five outgoing members - Mr Rafael Hui, Mr Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, Mr Bernard Chan, Mr Henry Fan Hung-ling and Mr Victor Lo Chung-wing.
"It is a pleasure to have worked with them in the Executive Council and I admire their wisdom and selfless dedication."
Following are biographical notes on the new Members:
Mr Lau Wong-fat
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Aged 72. Mr Lau is a businessman. He is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Legislative Councillor elected in the Heung Yee Kuk Functional Constituency, Chairman of Heung Yee Kuk and Tuen Mun District Council, and Honorary Court Member of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He was awarded a Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2005.
Professor Lawrence Lau Juen-yee
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Aged 64. Professor Lau obtained his doctoral degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He taught at the Economics Faculty of Stanford University in the U.S. from 1966 to 2004 and had been a professor since 1976. Professor Lau has been the Vice-chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong since 2004. He is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He serves as a member on the Commission on Strategic Development, Task Force on Economic Challenges, Exchange Fund Advisory Committee, Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology, Advisory Committee on Corruption of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and Honours Committee.
Ms Anna Wu Hung-yuk
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Aged 57. Ms Wu is a solicitor. She graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong. She was a Legislative Councillor, Chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission, of the Consumer Council and of the Operations Review Committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Ms Wu was also a member of the Hospital Authority, Director of the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, Non-executive Director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority and of the Securities and Futures Commission. She is currently a member of the Law Reform Commission, Council Member of the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and Advisor to the Law School of Shantou University. Ms Wu was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2000.
Ms Marjorie Yang Mun-tak
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Aged 56. Ms Yang obtained her Bachelor degree of Science in Mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S. and her Master Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. She is Chairman of the Esquel Group and Independent Non-executive director of HSBC, Swire Pacific and Novartis AG. Ms Yang is a Hong Kong Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Vice-chairman of the China Association of Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Chairman of its Textile and Clothing Sector Committee. She is also Chairman of the Hong Kong-U.S. Business Council, Member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Corporation, of the Asia Advisory Committee of Harvard Business School and Honorary Court Member of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Mr V Nee Yeh
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Aged 49. Mr Yeh is a graduate of the School of Law of Columbia University. He is a founder and Non-executive Honorary Chairman of investment funds - Value Partners Group Limited. He is Chairman of Argyle Street Management Limited and Cheetah Investment Management Limited. Mr Yeh served as a member on the Council of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, Listing Committee, and its Derivatives Market Consultative Panel, and China Securities Regulatory Commission. Mr Yeh is currently a Member of the Takeovers and Mergers Panel and Takeovers Appeal Committee of the Securities and Futures Commission, and Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Advisory Committee.
Ends/Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:43
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