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The Government announced today (Wednesday) that the Central People's Government has, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive of the SAR, appointed Mr Tsang Chun-wah, John, as Commissioner of Customs and Excise to succeed Mr Li Shu-fai, Lawrence, who will be retiring in March 1999 on reaching the normal retirement age, after 35 years of service in Government.
Mr John Tsang is currently Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London. According to the Basic Law, Commissioner of Customs and Excise is a Principal Official post.
The Government also announced the following senior appointments:
* Ms Lee Suk-yee, Sandra, Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service, will take over from Mr John Tsang as Director-General, London;
* Mr Fung Chee-keung, Deputy Director of Planning (Territory and Sub-region), will succeed Dr Pun Kwok-shing as Director of Planning with effect from January 4, 1999 when Dr Pun proceeds on pre-retirement leave; and
* Mr H B Phillipson, Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, will succeed Mr Hu Man-shiu as Director of Water Supplies in March 1999 when Mr Hu proceeds on pre-retirement leave.
Speaking on the appointment of a new Commissioner of Customs and Excise, both the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, expressed full confidence in Mr Tsang. They said Mr Tsang "is a veteran Administrative Officer with extensive experience in public administration, distinguished leadership and experience in handling Hong Kong's external commercial relations. He is a suitable candidate for the Commissioner post".
Mr Tung and Mrs Chan commended Mr Lawrence Li, Dr Pun Kwok-shing and Mr Hu Man-shiu for their loyal and dedicated service to the public for the past 35 years, and expressed appreciation of their significant contributions to the work of the respective departments and to the development of Hong Kong.
Speaking on the other senior appointments, Mrs Chan expressed full confidence in the officers. "Ms Sandra Lee has worked in the Government's Economic and Trade Office overseas for a number of years and has rich experience on this front. I am also confident that Mr Phillipson and Mr Fung, with their proven administrative and professional experience, will lead the Water Supplies Department and the Planning Department respectively to face the challenges ahead," said Mrs Chan.
Following are the biographical notes on the seven officers:
Mr Lawrence Li Shu-fai
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Mr Li joined the Inspector of Customs and Excise Grade of the Government in November 1963. He was promoted to Assistant Commissioner and later Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 1990 and 1994 respectively. He took up his present position of Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 1996 and was appointed a Principal Official of the SAR Government in July 1997.
Over the past 35 years, Mr Li has served in various divisions and sections of the Customs and Excise Department. He has served with dedication and has made positive efforts to promote the various anti-smuggling and regulatory efforts of the department.
Mr Li will retire from the civil service in March 1999 at the age of 55.
Dr Pun Kwok-shing
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Aged 60. Dr Pun first joined the Government as Assistant Planning Officer in July 1964. He was promoted to Principal Government Town Planner in April 1988 and to Director of Planning in January 1992.
He will proceed on pre-retirement leave on January 4, 1999 after more than 34 years of service with the Government.
Mr Hu Man-shiu
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Aged 60. Mr Hu joined the Government as an Apprentice Engineer in September 1963. He was promoted to Deputy Director of Water Supplies in October 1990 and to Director of Water Supplies in March 1993.
Mr Hu will proceed on pre-retirement leave in March 1999 after more than 35 years of service with the Government.
Mr John Tsang Chun-wah
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Aged 47. Mr Tsang joined the Administrative Service in November 1982 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 1997.
Mr Tsang has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, Finance Branch, Economic Services Branch, the former Monetary Affairs Branch and Trade Department. From 1987 to 1991, he served as the first Administrative Assistant to the Financial Secretary. He was Assistant Director-General of Trade from 1991 to 1995 and Private Secretary to the former Governor from 1995 to June 1997. Mr Tsang took up his present position of Director-General, London, in July 1997 and has been acting in the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A since then.
Ms Lee Suk-yee, Sandra
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Ms Lee joined the Government in June 1974 as an Executive Officer. She was appointed to the Administrative Service in August 1979 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 1997. She is aged 46.
While in the Administrative Service, Ms Lee has worked in a number of bureaux and departments including, inter alia, the former City and New Territories Administration, Trade and Industry Branch, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs Office in Washington, Home Affairs Department and Civil Service Bureau. Ms Lee served in Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs Office in Washington as Counsellor (currently known as Deputy Director-General) from 1985 to 1988 and from 1993 to 1995. She was Deputy Director of Home Affairs from September 1995 to March 1996. She took up her present position of Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service in April 1996.
Mr H B Phillipson
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Aged 57. Mr Phillipson joined the Government as an Engineer in February 1977. He was appointed Principal Government Geotechnical Engineer in November 1990. He was Deputy Secretary for Works from October 1990 to November 1993. He took up the post of Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services in November 1993 and was substantively appointed as Director (D5) in August 1994.
Mr Fung Chee-keung
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Mr Fung joined the Government as an Assistant Planning Officer in January 1975. He rose through the ranks to become Government Town Planner in June 1991 and Principal Government Town Planner in 1997. He now holds the post of Deputy Director of Planning (Territory and Sub-regional). Mr Fung is aged 52.
END/Wednesday, December 30, 1998
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