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The Government announced today (June 24) the appointments of the Director of the Chief Executive's Office and the Head of the Central Policy Unit to complement the introduction of the accountability system on July 1, 2002.

Mr Lam Woon-kwong is appointed Director of the Chief Executive's Office. He will oversee the running of the Chief Executive's Office and the Executive Council Secretariat, as well as coordinating the formulation of public relations and media strategies for government policies.

Professor Lau Siu-kai is appointed Head of the Central Policy Unit, which is tasked with advising the Chief Executive on policy issues and conducting research in different fields.

The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, said, "Mr Lam has rich experience in dealing with many areas of government policies. He is a most dedicated and highly capable official whose experience in the civil service stands him in good stead for the new post."

He said Professor Lau's academic background and extensive experience in research work made him well-suited to the position.

The biographical notes on Mr Lam and Professor Lau are:

Mr Lam Woon-kwong

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Aged 51. Mr Lam joined the Hong Kong Government as an Administrative Officer in August 1974 and was promoted to his present rank of Director of Bureau in April 1997. Senior positions held by Mr Lam in recent years include: Deputy Director, Regional Services Department (October 1989 - September 1991); Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service (September 1991 - February 1993); Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower (March 1993 - December 1994) and Director of Education (December 1994 - January 1996).

He became Secretary for the Civil Service in February 1996 and was appointed a Principal Official in July 1997. He took up his present position as Secretary for Home Affairs in July 2000.

Professor Lau Siu-kai

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Aged 55. Professor Lau is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Sociology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is also Associate Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the university.

He is actively involved in research work, covering social and political development as well as political systems.

Professor Lau is currently Member of the Independent Commission on Remuneration for Members of the Executive Council and the Legislature. He was a part-time member of the Central Policy Unit.

End/Monday, June 24, 2002

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