Personal decision: Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development designate Gregory So will renounce his Canadian citizenship.

Under Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development designate Gregory So will give up his Canadian citizenship to ease public concerns over his nationality.

Chief Secretary Henry Tang and Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam say they respect his decision.

Speaking to the media this afternoon, Mr So said he has never kept his nationality a secret and has informed the Government of the matter. His Canadian citizenship has never affected his commitment to public service or changed the fact that he is a Chinese, he stressed.

According to the Basic Law, under secretaries are not among the posts that are subject to nationality restrictions, he said, adding under secretaries holding right of abode in foreign countries will not cause the problem of "double loyalty".

Nevertheless, he decided to give up his Canadian passport after considering public views. He hoped the move would ease public concerns and avoid causing any further political conflicts. The incident will not deter him from his resolve to serve the public, he added.