Commissioner for Tourism Rebecca Lai will become Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service on February 24. She will be replaced by Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Eva Cheng who takes up the post on March 17.

Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service Anissa Wong will become Director of Leisure & Cultural Services from February 26, taking over from Paul Leung who goes on pre-retirement leave.

Dedicated to public service: Rebecca Lai, Eva Cheng and Anissa Wong.

Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong said: "The appointed officers have amassed rich experience in public administration through a series of postings in their career in the Administrative Service. I have full confidence in their leadership abilities. I am certain they are capable of leading their team to take forward various initiatives in promoting the development of Hong Kong and enhancing public services."

Mr Wong also commended Mr Leung's "many exemplary contributions to Hong Kong through his long and distinguished service".

Biographies:

Rebecca Lai - Aged 44, Mrs Lai joined the Government in August 1981 and was promoted to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 2001. She has served in a host of bureaux and departments. She was Deputy Director-General of the former Trade Department from December 1995 to March 1997 and Deputy Secretary in the former Financial Services Bureau from April 1997 to December 2000. She has been Commissioner for Tourism since December 2000.

Anissa Wong - Aged 46, Ms Wong joined the Government in September 1979 and was promoted to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 2000. She has served in a host of bureaux and departments. She was Deputy Director-General of the former Industry Department from March 1996 to April 1997 and was appointed Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service since April 1997. She has doubled up the post of Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service since July 1 last year.

Eva Cheng - Aged 42, Ms Cheng joined the Government in August 1983 and was promoted to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 2001. She has served in a host of bureaux and departments. She was Deputy Head of the Central Policy Unit from April 1996 to April 1997 and from August 1997 to December 1998, and Deputy Director of Administration from April to August 1997. She has been Deputy Secretary for Information Technology & Broadcasting (renamed Deputy Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology on July 1, last year) since December 1998.

Paul Leung - Aged 55, Mr Leung joined the Government in July 1971. He rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 2000. His senior positions include Deputy Secretary for Transport (November 1995 to August 1997), Principal Hong Kong Economic & Trade Representative Tokyo (September 1997 to December 1999), and Director of Leisure & Cultural Services since January 2000.