The central government has approved the appointments of Henry Tang as Hong Kong's financial secretary and Ambrose Lee as the territory's security chief, announced Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa on Monday.

Newly appointed HK Financial Secretary Henry Tang.

Former Hong Kong Financial Secretary Antony Leung.

The appointments were approved by the State Council on Saturday, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.

The appointments end weeks of speculation on the replacements for the two secretaries who resigned after mass protests in early July.

Newly appointed HK Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee.

Former HK Secretary for Security Regina Ip.

Tung also announced John Tsang Chun-wah to replace Henry Tang as the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Raymond Wong Hung-chiu to replace Ambrose Lee as the Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Announcing the appointments, Mr Tung said: "All the newly appointed Principal Officials have a good grasp of the government operation, excellent leadership skills and a wealth of experience. I am also confident that they will help us move towards a more open, progressive and efficient Government. They will work for the interests of the people and do their utmost to serve the public. I hope they can count on the support of the community as we work together for the development and stability of Hong Kong."

Biographical notes of the Principal Officials:

Mr Henry Tang Ying-yen

Aged 51. Mr Henry Tang is currently the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology.

Mr Tang has been a member of the Executive Council since 1997. He served as a member of the Legislative Council for seven years from 1991 to 1998. Mr Tang has also served extensively on various government boards and public bodies, including the Trade Development Council, Town Planning Board, University Grants Committee, and Council of the City University of Hong Kong.

Before joining the Government in 2002, Mr Tang was a leading industrialist in Hong Kong. He served as the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries between 1995 and 2001. He was also a Committee Member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and a Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Mr Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong

Aged 54. He was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in July 2002. He is directly accountable to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR.

Mr Lee joined the Government as an Immigration Officer in 1974. He became Assistant Director of Immigration in 1995, and was promoted to Deputy Director of Immigration in 1997. Mr Lee was Director of Immigration between 1998 and 2002 before his appointment to the ICAC.

Mr Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hong Kong. He also received professional training from Tsinghua University in the Mainland, Oxford University in the United Kingdom, as well as Harvard University in USA.

Mr Lee was awarded the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 1998 in recognition of his exemplary contribution.

Mr John Tsang Chun-wah

Aged 52. Mr Tsang spent his secondary school years in La Salle College in Hong Kong and Stuyvesant High School in New York City. He pursued his interest in architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He went on to receive a master degree in bilingual education from Boston State College and a master degree in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Mr Tsang joined the civil service in November 1982. From 1987 to 1991, he served as the Administrative Assistant to the Financial Secretary. He was Assistant Director-General of Trade from 1991 to early 1995, Private Secretary to the Governor from 1995 to June 1997, Director-General of the London Economic and Trade Office from July 1997 to February 1999, Commissioner of Customs and Excise from March 1999 to July 2001 and Secretary for Planning and Lands from July 2001 to June 2002. He was appointed Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) on July 1, 2002.

Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu

Aged 46. Mr Wong joined the Administrative Service in August 1980 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in July 2002. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including Social Welfare Department, Home Affairs Branch, Health and Welfare Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Office of Unofficial Members of Executive and Legislative Councils, the former Legal Department and the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office. He was Commissioner for Narcotics in the Security Branch from January to December 1996, served as Deputy Director of the Handover Ceremony Co-ordination Office of the Chief Secretary's Office from January to July 1997 and was Deputy Secretary for Security from August 1997 to July 2001. Mr Wong was appointed to his present position of Commissioner of Customs and Excise in July 2001.

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