Chief Executive Donald Tsang has welcomed the appointment of Peng Qinghua as Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong.

Mr Peng, who replaces Gao Siren, has been serving in the Liaison Office in Hong Kong since 2003 and has worked with the Hong Kong Government to promote exchange and communication with the Mainland.

"I believe under the leadership of Mr Peng the Liaison Office will continue to support the work of the HKSAR Government in accordance with the Basic Law and the 'One country, two systems' principle, to help maintain and contribute to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability," Mr Tsang said.

He thanked Mr Gao for his contribution to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and wished him success in his posts as a National People's Congress Standing Committee member and as Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee Chairman.