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Tung heralds dawn of new era
( 2002-06-25 09:22 ) (1 )

Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Tung Chee-hwa Monday unveiled a new team of principal officials under the accountability system less than one week before he begins a second five-year term in office.

The appointments, approved by the central government over the weekend, heralded ``the dawning of a new era'' of government in Hong Kong, Tung said at a press conference.

The central idea of the HKSAR's accountability system, which replaces civil servants with political appointees, is to make top-echelon officials more responsive to the needs of the community and hold them responsible for policy failures.

Chief Secretary for Administration Donald Tsang, Financial Secretary Antony Leung and Justice Secretary Elsie Leung will continue to assist the chief executive in their current posts after the second-term HKSAR government swears in on July 1, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of Hong Kong's handover.

Of the 11 directors of bureaux, most come from the civil service while five new members were brought in from business, professional and academic fields.

The principal officials will work on non-civil service terms for a period not exceeding five years.

``In the next five years, we will be a government which is more accountable to the people of Hong Kong. Ours will be an open, enlightened and progressive government,'' Tung said.

``Ours will also be a government which is fully committed to Hong Kong, and has the resolve to work closely with different sectors to pursue the overall interest of the community.''

He also announced the appointments of 14 permanent secretaries, who will assist the principal officials to formulate and execute their respective policy portfolios.

Unlike the principal officials, permanent secretaries will still be working on civil-service terms.

Also appointed were five principal officials heading the disciplined services, the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Audit Commission.

Speaking of his criteria for selection of the new team at yesterday's press conference, Tung said experience, knowledge, ability, commitment to society, track record in public services, good character, impartiality and importantly, team spirit, all count.

``The new team is chosen from among different sectors and this reflects the resolve of the government to attract talents from a broad spectrum to take care of each policy portfolios,'' he said.

``The new team also clearly reflects my resolve to put into practice a new style of governance which works for the betterment of Hong Kong.''

Tung said he had interviewed a very wide cross-section of people during the selection process and the ones appointed are his first choice.

``I want to tell you that having seen everybody, this is my first team and they are the best team,although there are others who, for different considerations, felt this is not the right time to become principal officials under the accountability system.''

As to criticisms levelled at some members of the team, he said it is very normal in an open society and he has total confidence in his 14 principal officials.

He added he would evaluate the success or failure of their performances from the perspective of their five-year plan and immediate yearly plan.

Tung also offered a warm welcome to the five newcomers who will serve as unofficial members of the Executive Council alongside the principal officials.

``They come from a variety of backgrounds covering the labour sector, business sector, the legal profession and the political scene. I have every confidence that with their input, the Executive Council will be strengthened,'' he said.