CE praises Elsie Leung, announces new S for J (with photo)
********************************************************** The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, said the State Council today (October 20) approved that Ms Elsie Leung ceased to be the Secretary for Justice with effect from today. The State Council also appointed Mr Wong Yan-lung as the new Secretary for Justice with effect from today. Ms Leung has accepted the Chief Executive¡¦s invitation to stay on as a member of the Constitutional Development Task Force in her personal capacity until December 31, 2005.
Mr Tsang praised Ms Leung¡¦s dedication to work and her intense commitment to the country, to Hong Kong and to the rule of law. ¡§Elsie¡¦s mammoth workload never stopped her from promoting the interests of the legal profession. She has been vigorous in fostering exchanges and liaison between the legal sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland. Her efforts are well recognised by her peers,¡¨ he said.
Regarding his invitation to Ms Leung to stay on as a member of the Constitutional Development Task Force in her personal capacity, Mr Tsang said ¡§I extended this invitation to Elsie because our constitutional reform has reached a defining moment, and she is conversant with the subject. Her knowledge and experience will greatly help the Task Force explain the government¡¦s proposals to the public and secure their support.¡¨
The Chief Executive was very grateful to Ms Leung for agreeing to stay on with the Task Force. ¡§Despite my repeated offer of remuneration, Elsie eventually agreed to take only a nominal remuneration. I would like to thank her for her selfless devotion to serving the public,¡¨ he said.
Mr Tsang wished Ms Leung a happy retirement and good health.
On the new Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan-lung, the Chief Executive said ¡§I am very much impressed by his commitment to the rule of law, to the legal profession and to Hong Kong.¡¨
Mr Tsang believed that Mr Wong, with his patriotism, gentle and upright disposition as well as professional expertise and reputation, would competently fulfil the role of Secretary for Justice.
¡§The rule of law is one of the pillars of Hong Kong's prosperity. It is imperative for us to protect this value. I look forward to working with Mr Wong to uphold the rule of law during my term of office.¡¨
Following are the biographical notes on the new Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan-lung:
Mr Wong Yan-lung is 41. Before his present appointment as Secretary for Justice, he was lawyer in private practice. He sat as Deputy High Court Judge of the Court of First Instance in July and August in 2003, and was a Council member of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association from 1989 to 1990, from 1997 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2005 and Chairman of the Special Committee on Legal Education of the Hong Kong Bar Association from 2003 to 2005.
Mr Wong has served as Chairman of the Buildings Appeal Tribunal, of the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Boards, and of the Non-local Higher and Professional Education Appeal Board. He has also served as Vice-Chairman of CEDAR Fund and Member of the Steering Committee and Volunteer of the Hong Kong Christian Concern for the Homeless.
Mr Wong graduated from the Cambridge University and was conferred Bachelor of Arts (Law) and Master of Arts (Law) Degrees. In 1987, he was called to the Bar in England & Wales and in the same year he was also called to the Bar in Hong Kong. He was appointed as Senior Counsel in Hong Kong in 2002.
********************************************************** The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, said the State Council today (October 20) approved that Ms Elsie Leung ceased to be the Secretary for Justice with effect from today. The State Council also appointed Mr Wong Yan-lung as the new Secretary for Justice with effect from today. Ms Leung has accepted the Chief Executive¡¦s invitation to stay on as a member of the Constitutional Development Task Force in her personal capacity until December 31, 2005.
Mr Tsang praised Ms Leung¡¦s dedication to work and her intense commitment to the country, to Hong Kong and to the rule of law. ¡§Elsie¡¦s mammoth workload never stopped her from promoting the interests of the legal profession. She has been vigorous in fostering exchanges and liaison between the legal sectors in Hong Kong and the Mainland. Her efforts are well recognised by her peers,¡¨ he said.
Regarding his invitation to Ms Leung to stay on as a member of the Constitutional Development Task Force in her personal capacity, Mr Tsang said ¡§I extended this invitation to Elsie because our constitutional reform has reached a defining moment, and she is conversant with the subject. Her knowledge and experience will greatly help the Task Force explain the government¡¦s proposals to the public and secure their support.¡¨
The Chief Executive was very grateful to Ms Leung for agreeing to stay on with the Task Force. ¡§Despite my repeated offer of remuneration, Elsie eventually agreed to take only a nominal remuneration. I would like to thank her for her selfless devotion to serving the public,¡¨ he said.
Mr Tsang wished Ms Leung a happy retirement and good health.
On the new Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan-lung, the Chief Executive said ¡§I am very much impressed by his commitment to the rule of law, to the legal profession and to Hong Kong.¡¨
Mr Tsang believed that Mr Wong, with his patriotism, gentle and upright disposition as well as professional expertise and reputation, would competently fulfil the role of Secretary for Justice.
¡§The rule of law is one of the pillars of Hong Kong's prosperity. It is imperative for us to protect this value. I look forward to working with Mr Wong to uphold the rule of law during my term of office.¡¨
Following are the biographical notes on the new Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan-lung:
Mr Wong Yan-lung is 41. Before his present appointment as Secretary for Justice, he was lawyer in private practice. He sat as Deputy High Court Judge of the Court of First Instance in July and August in 2003, and was a Council member of the Council of the Hong Kong Bar Association from 1989 to 1990, from 1997 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2005 and Chairman of the Special Committee on Legal Education of the Hong Kong Bar Association from 2003 to 2005.
Mr Wong has served as Chairman of the Buildings Appeal Tribunal, of the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Boards, and of the Non-local Higher and Professional Education Appeal Board. He has also served as Vice-Chairman of CEDAR Fund and Member of the Steering Committee and Volunteer of the Hong Kong Christian Concern for the Homeless.
Mr Wong graduated from the Cambridge University and was conferred Bachelor of Arts (Law) and Master of Arts (Law) Degrees. In 1987, he was called to the Bar in England & Wales and in the same year he was also called to the Bar in Hong Kong. He was appointed as Senior Counsel in Hong Kong in 2002.
Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:46
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