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Senior appointment (with photos)
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     The Government announced today (September 24) that Mr Joe Wong Chi-cho, former Commissioner for Tourism, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs on October 12, 2021. He will succeed Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, who will commence her pre-retirement leave in January 2022.
 
     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, "Mr Wong 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 pending retirement of Mrs Tse, Mr Nip said, "Mrs Tse has rendered 37 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community of Hong Kong. During her tenure as Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, she made significant contributions to various policy areas including arts and culture, youth development and sports and recreation. She also played a pivotal role in the promotion and development of district administration. I wish her a fulfilling and happy retirement."
 
     Brief biographical notes of the two officers are set out below:
           
Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching
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     Mrs Tse joined the Administrative Service in August 1984 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2012. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Home Affairs Branch, the former Administrative Service and Information Branch, the former Housing Branch, the former General Duties Branch, the former Constitutional Affairs Branch, the former Trade Department, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former Finance Branch, the former Chief Executive (Designate)'s Office, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the Commission on Poverty, the former Constitutional Affairs Bureau and the Labour Department. She was Permanent Secretary for Education from December 2010 to January 2015, Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food) from January 2015 to April 2018, and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs since April 2018.
 
Mr Joe Wong Chi-cho
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     Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in July 1987 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2018. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Health and Welfare Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, the former Economic Services Branch, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Washington DC, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Housing Department and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau. He was Director of Information Services from July 2016 to February 2018, Commissioner for Tourism from February 2018 to April 2021, and was on secondment to Ocean Park Corporation as Chief Executive from May to August 2021.
 
Ends/Friday, September 24, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:00
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Today's Press Releases  

Photo

Mr Joe Wong Chi-cho, former Commissioner for Tourism, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs on October 12, 2021.
Mrs Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, will commence her pre-retirement leave after 37 years of service with the Government.