The State Council, on Chief Executive CY Leung’s nomination and recommendation, today approved the appointment of Nicholas Yang as Secretary for Innovation & Technology.
Mr Leung noted that Mr Yang has extensive experience and an international perspective in innovation and technology.
He added that as Advisor to the Chief Executive on Innovation & Technology and as a non-official Executive Council member since March, Mr Yang has provided him and the Government with constructive advice on an innovation and technology development strategy.
He noted that Mr Yang’s advice has focused on how Hong Kong can best utilise the advantages of 'one country' and 'two systems' and how co-ordination between the Government, industry, academia and research sectors can be strengthened.
Mr Yang has also been maintaining close contact with legislators and the industry to promote the Innovation & Technology Bureau’s establishment.
"I strongly believe that Mr Yang is well suited for the Secretary post and would lead the bureau in formulating holistic policies and expediting the development of innovation, technology and related industries in Hong Kong," Mr Leung said.
Mr Yang will no longer serve as Advisor to the Chief Executive on Innovation & Technology, but will still chair the Advisory Committee on Innovation & Technology.
The new bureau chief holds bachelors and masters degrees in electrical engineering from California Institute of Technology and Stanford University. He has worked for companies including Intel Corporation and Shell Electric, and served as Hong Kong Cyberport Management’s chief executive officer and Polytechnic University’s executive vice president.
