The Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, announced today (July 29) the appointment of Miss Yvonne Choi Ying-pik as the Commissioner for Belt and Road with effect from August 1, 2016, until June 30, 2017.
 
     Mr Leung said, "I announced in the Policy Address this year that the Government would set up a steering committee for the Belt and Road to be chaired by me to formulate strategies and policies for Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. A Belt and Road Office would also be established for carrying out specific tasks to capitalise on the opportunities brought to Hong Kong by the Belt and Road development strategy of our country.
 
     "As the most open city of our country, Hong Kong can make full use of the dual advantages of 'one country' and 'two systems' to seize the historic opportunity of the Belt and Road to promote social and economic development of Hong Kong and enhance our competitiveness. The Belt and Road strategy covers five areas, namely enhancing policy co-operation, strengthening infrastructural facilities connectivity, facilitating unimpeded trade and investment, deepening financial integration and building people-to-people bonds. The work of various government bureaux and departments will be involved. I therefore decided to chair the steering committee for the Belt and Road and to guide the work of the Belt and Road Office through the Commissioner for Belt and Road.
 
     "As the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Miss Choi will assist me in making good use of the new development opportunities for Hong Kong under the Belt and Road Initiative by establishing liaison with government departments and various sectors of the community through the steering committee for the Belt and Road and the Belt and Road Office. Miss Choi will also provide recommendations and advice to me and the steering committee in formulating and implementing strategies under the Belt and Road. Miss Choi has a wealth of work experience in economic and trade affairs and had served the Government for more than 30 years in many key positions including Deputy Representative in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva, Director of Information Services and Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. I have full confidence that Miss Choi can help me formulate strategies and policies which can facilitate Hong Kong's participation in the Belt and Road, and achieve the most for Hong Kong from this historic opportunity."
 
     Miss Choi will not be remunerated for taking up public office as Commissioner for Belt and Road. She will report directly to the Chief Executive. The Belt and Road Office and relevant bureaux and departments will provide full support to her work.
 
     Brief biographical notes of Miss Choi are as follows:
 
     Aged 65, Miss Yvonne Choi Ying-pik graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 1973 with a bachelor degree in Arts. She joined the Government in the same year. She served in the Labour Department and the Trade Department, and worked as a consultant in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. She joined the Administrative Service in 1989, rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in 2008 and retired in 2012. She was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2011 by the Government, and appointed as Justice of Peace in 2012.
 
     Miss Choi had served in various positions, including Deputy Representative in the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Geneva, Deputy Director General of Trade, Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry, Director of Information Services and Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

Ends/Friday, July 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:01

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