The Government announced today (May 25) that Mr Thomas Chan Chung-ching, Director (Health) Special Duties, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health) on June 5, 2020. He will succeed Ms Elizabeth Tse Man-yee, who will commence her pre-retirement leave.
 
     Commenting on the appointment, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "Mr Chan is a seasoned Administrative Officer with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that he will serve the community with professionalism in his new capacity."
       
     On the retirement of Ms Tse, Mr Nip said, "Ms Tse has rendered 36 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community of Hong Kong. As Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), she has worked tirelessly in the past few months to support the Government's effort in combating COVID-19. During her tenure, she also played a pivotal role in taking forward a number of healthcare reform initiatives for continuous enhancement of the long term sustainability of Hong Kong's healthcare system. I wish her a fulfilling and happy retirement."
 
     Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below:
          
Ms Elizabeth Tse Man-yee
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     Ms Tse joined the Administrative Service in August 1984 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2011. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Security Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Economic Services Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former Finance Bureau, the Chief Secretary for Administration's Office and the Chief Executive's Office. She was Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) from April 2010 to July 2012, Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) from July 2012 to July 2017 and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health) since July 2017.
 
Mr Thomas Chan Chung-ching
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     Mr Chan joined the Civil Service in June 1991. He first served as an Executive Officer and then transferred to the Administrative Service. He rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2019. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the former Civil Service Branch, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva, the former Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (subsequently retitled as Food and Health Bureau) and the former Independent Review Committee for the Prevention and Handling of Potential Conflicts of Interests. He was Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) from September 2012 to June 2017, Director of Lands from July 2017 to May 2020 and has been serving as Director (Health) Special Duties since May 2020.

Ends/Monday, May 25, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:00

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