Director of Administration Andrew Wong will be Special Representative for HK Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Communities from March 22. He replaces Christopher Jackson who will go on pre-retirement leave on March 1.

Deputy Director of Administration Chang King-yiu will succeed Mr Wong as Director on March 22.

Senior appointments: Andrew Wong will take up the post of Special Representative for HK Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Communities. He will be replaced by Chan King-yiu, and Christopher Jackson will retire after 27 years of service.

Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong said: "Andrew Wong has distinguished abilities and rich experience in promoting Hong Kong's external trade relations. With his previous experience as Special Representative to the European Communities from 1997 to 2000, I have full confidence in him heading the Brussels Office again to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in the European Communities."

On Ms Chang, Mr Wong said she is an experienced Administrative Officer with good leadership and management abilities, and is "well placed to lead the office in meeting the challenges ahead".

Mr Jackson has served in the civil service for 27 years, providing distinguished service to the community. He has made a sterling contribution to the promotion of Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in the US and the European Communities, Mr Wong said.

A wealth of experience

Aged 44, Andrew Wong joined the Government in August 1982 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 2001. He has served in a host of bureaux and departments. He was Administrative Assistant to the Chief Secretary from April 1994 to November 1997 and Special Representative to the European Communities from December 1997 to August 2000. Mr Wong has been Director of Administration since August 2000.

Aged 51, Mr Jackson joined the Government in September 1976 and was promoted to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 1997. He has served in a host of bureaux and departments. He has been serving as Special Representative to the European Communities since January 2001.

Aged 42, Ms Chang joined the Government in August 1983 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in July 2002. She has served in various bureaux and departments. She was Deputy Secretary for Security from January 1997 to October 2000, and has been Deputy Director of Administration since October 2000.