- Title: CHINA: HONG KONG'S POPULAR CHIEF SECRETARY ANSON CHAN ANNOUNCES HER RESIGNATION
- Date: 12th January 2001
- Summary: HONG KONG, CHINA (JANUARY 12, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV: EXTERIOR OF BUILDING 0.04 2. LV: HONG KONG'S CHIEF SECRETARY ANSON CHAN AND HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE TUNG CHEE-HWA ENTER ROOM 0.14 3. SCU: (SOUNDBITE) (English) CHAN SAYING: "With the consent of the chief executive, and for personal reasons, I have decided to retire from the post of Chief Secretary at the end of April this year. As you all know, I was due to retire in January 2000, but in March 1999, I accepted the Chief Executive's invitation to stay on, beyond my normal retirement age, until 30th of June, 2002. At that point in time we were still suffering from Hong Kong's worst economic recession, we had only just begun discussions on major reforms to the civil service, which would have far-reaching implications, both for the civil service and for the wider community. In all these circumstances prevailing at the time, I thought it best to remain in my post. 22 months have passed since then, our economy has made a strong recovery, public confidence and consumer sentiment have both improved. Most of the reforms to the civil service are in place. The Chief Executive has also delivered his policy address outlining government's major initiatives for the next few years. I feel that it is time for me to step down and make way for new blood. I have served for over 38 years in the civil service, the last seven as Chief Secretary, making me the longest-serving since the war. I would now like to spend rather more time with my family. " 1.51 4. MV: TUNG SAYING (English) "We will miss you very much. Thankyou very much indeed." / EMBRACES CHAN 2.02 5. SV: MEDIA 2.05 HONG KONG, CHINA (FILE - JULY 1997) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 6. SLV: EXTERIOR OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING 2.10 (POOL - ACCESS ALL) 7. TOP SHOTS OF COUNCIL IN SESSION (3 SHOTS) 2.22 8. SV: ANSON CHAN, CHIEF SECRETARY, ADDRESSES COUNCIL 2.25 (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 9. WIDE OF CABINET MEETING WITH HONG KONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE TUNG CHEE-HWA 2.30 10. PAN: CABINET MEMBERS 2.35 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 27th January 2001 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: HONG KONG, CHINA
- City:
- Country: Hong Kong
- Reuters ID: LVAC2F0ODJGE36X0E6GPWSRAYU0M
- Story Text: Hong Kong's popular Chief Secretary Anson Chan, seen
as a pillar of stability during the territory's return to
Chinese rule in 1997, has announced her resignation.
Her departure, announced on Friday (January 12) signals
one of the most significant government change since Britain
returned the capitalist outpost to communist China.
She was seen by many as Hong Kong's strongest advocate of
the territory's agreed autonomy, rule of British common law
and respect for civil liberties after the handover.
Beijing, never fond of the woman dubbed Hong Kong's "Iron
Lady", said it had taken note of her decision and "had nothing
more to say".
Chan said she took the decision to quit after helping to
see the territory of seven million people through its
transition to Chinese rule and then one of its worst
recessions.
Chan said she had wanted to retire from the 180,000-strong
civil service, which she heads, on schedule in 1999 but stayed
at her post to help with the economy and administrative
reforms.
Chan, 60, was named the first woman to head the civil
service in 1993 by Britain's last governor, Chris Patten. She
was revered by many officials as one of their own after
spending more than 38 years in the civil service.
Political analysts had said Chan was the only politician
with the clout to dislodge Beijing's chosen Hong Kong leader,
Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, when his five-year term ends in
2002.
But any chance she might have had to take the helm in a
tightly controlled vote was stymied last year when China
bluntly told Chan to support Tung, making clear he was
Beijing's choice for a second term.
Tung told reporters he would name Chan's successor as
Chief Secretary of Administration soon.
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