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HK Administrative Secretary Announces Retirement
Hong Kong Administrative Secretary Anson Chan announced Friday, January 12, that she has decided to retire from her post at the end of April this year.
"With the consent of Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and for personal reasons, I have decided to retire from the post of administrative secretary at the end of April this year," Chan told a media session at the Central Government Offices.
Chan said she was due to retire in January 2000, but in March 1999, she accepted the chief executive's invitation to stay on beyond her normal retirement age until June 30, 2002.
"At that time, we were still suffering from Hong Kong's worst economic recession, and we had only just begun discussions on major reforms to the civil service, which would have far-reaching implications both for the service and for the wider community," she said.
"In all the circumstances prevailing at the time, I thought it best to remain in my post," Chan noted.
But now, Hong Kong's economy has staged a strong recovery, public confidence and consumer sentiment have both improved, most of the reforms to the civil service are in place and Chief Executive Tung has also delivered his Policy Address, outlining the government's major initiatives in the next few years, she said.
"I feel that it is time for me to step down and make way for new blood, and I would now like to spend rather more time with my family," she said.
Chan said she was most grateful to Tung for giving her the opportunity to continue to lead the civil service after Hong Kong's return to the motherland.
She said her departure should not affect the smooth functioning of the government. "I shall continue to work closely with the chief executive in the good governance of Hong Kong and in serving the community."
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