Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang will succeed Matthew Cheung as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour (Labour)/Commissioner for Labour on April 1. Mr Cheung will retire after 34 years of Government service.

Secretary for the Civil Service Denise Yue said Mr Tang is a seasoned Administrative Officer with rich experience in public administration and proven leadership and management abilities.

"I am confident he will continue to serve the community with professionalism and dedication in his new capacity, and ably lead his colleagues to meet the challenges ahead," Ms Yue said.

Hailing Mr Cheung's work, she said: "He has rendered 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and has made exemplary contributions to the development of Hong Kong in various spheres, especially in the labour, manpower and education sectors. We sincerely wish him a happy retirement."

New role: Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang will succeed Matthew Cheung as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour (Labour)/Commissioner for Labour on April 1.

Dedicated service

Aged 56, Mr Cheung joined the Information Officer Grade in 1972. He transferred to the Administrative Service in 1979, and was promoted to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in 2004.

He has served as Deputy Secretary for Education & Manpower, Commissioner for Labour, Director of Education, and Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour (Labour), later retitled as Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour (Labour)/Commissioner for Labour.

Aged 51, Mr Tang joined the Administrative Service in 1978, and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in 2005.