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The Government announced today (Monday) that the Central People's Government has, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive, appointed Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, as Secretary for Security to succeed Mr Peter LAI Hing-ling.

Mr Peter Lai has been given approval to resign from the Civil Service with effect from August 1, 1998.

Mrs Regina Ip is currently Director of Immigration. She is on leave until the end of August and will assume the office of Secretary for Security on August 31, 1998.

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan said: "Both the Chief Executive and I feel sad that Mr Peter Lai will leave the Service but we fully respect his personal decision. He has rendered 25 years of valuable service to government and the Hong Kong community. He is highly respected by all those who have worked with him and he will be dearly missed."

"My best wishes to Mr Lai and his family," she added.

Commenting on the appointment of Mrs Ip, Mrs Anson Chan said: "She is an able public administrator and her experience in the former Security Branch and now as Director of Immigration made her highly suited for the portfolio of Secretary for Security."

"Both the Chief Executive and I have full confidence in Mrs Ip," Mrs Chan added.

The Government spokesman said that Mr LEE Siu-kwong, Deputy Director of Immigration will act Director of Immigration until a new Director is appointed.

Biographical note of the two officers are as follows :

Mr Peter LAI Hing-ling, JP

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Aged 47. Mr Lai joined the Administrative Service in 1973 and rose to his present rank of Director of Bureau in 1996.

During the early years of his career, he held appointments in a number of Bureaux and departments including the former New Territories Administration and Security Branch, Urban Services Department, Immigration Department, Civil Service Branch and the former General Duties Branch. He became Deputy Secretary in the former Lands and Works Branch from 1988 and 1989 and Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service from 1989 to 1991. He took up the post of Deputy Secretary for Constitutional Affairs in February 1991 and was appointed Secretary for Security in February 1995. He was appointed Secretary for Security under the SARG in July 1997.

Mrs Regina IP LAU Suk-yee, JP

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Aged 47. Mrs Ip joined the Administrative Service in September 1975 and was promoted to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 1996.

Over the years, Mrs Ip served in a number of Secretariat bureaux and departments including Civil Service Branch, Home Affairs Department, the former New Territories Administration and later the City and New Territories Administration, Security Branch, Trade Department, Chief Secretary's Office and Trade and Industry Branch. She was Deputy Director of Administration from 1990 to 1993 and Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry from 1993 to 1995. She was appointed Director-General of Industry in September 1995 and she took up her present appointment as Director of Immigration in August 1996. She was appointed Director of Immigration under the SARG in July 1997.

End/Monday, July 27, 1998

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