Government Announces Senior Appointments Ahead of Upcoming Retirements in Key Positions

Government announces senior appointments

The Government announced today (March 7) the following senior appointments:

(a) Mr Tom Yip Chi-kwai, Principal Government Town Planner, will take up the post of Director of Planning on March 18, 2025, to succeed Mr Ivan Chung Man-kit who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day;

(b) Captain Eddie Liu Ka-chun, Chief Pilot, will take up the post of Controller, Government Flying Service on March 13, 2025, to succeed Captain West Wu Wai-hung who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day; and

(c) Miss Lillian Chow, Deputy Principal Solicitor, will take up the post of Official Receiver on March 31, 2025, to succeed Ms Phyllis McKenna who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day.

Commenting on the appointments of Mr Yip, Captain Liu and Miss Chow, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "Mr Yip, Captain Liu and Miss Chow have proven leadership and management skills, as well as profound professional knowledge. I am confident that they will be able to lead the respective departments to meet the challenges ahead."

On the retirement of the three senior officials, Mrs Yeung thanked them for their loyal and dedicated service to the community. She wished them a fulfilling and happy retirement.

Mrs Yeung said, "Mr Chung has served with diligence and commitment in the civil service throughout the past 35 years. As Director of Planning, he has made significant contributions to increasing land supply and mapping out the territorial spatial development strategy for Hong Kong and formulated sustainable land use strategies and plans in the Northern Metropolis and other new areas. Mr Chung has also played a key role in assisting the work of the Town Planning Board.

"Captain Wu has served with devotion and commitment in the service for almost 37 years. As Controller, Government Flying Service, he has made sustained efforts in enhancing the efficiency and professional excellence of the department to provide emergency search and rescue operations as well as aviation support for the community and government departments."

Mrs Yeung said, "Ms McKenna has served with professionalism and commitment in the civil service for 36 years. As Official Receiver, she has made sustained efforts in enhancing the efficiency and service quality of the department. She has also enhanced the image of Hong Kong by fostering international exchanges and co-operation on insolvency matters."

Brief biographical notes of the six officers are set out below:

Mr Ivan Chung Man-kit

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Mr Chung joined the Government as Assistant Town Planner in November 1989 and was promoted to Chief Town Planner in August 2010, to Government Town Planner in June 2017 and to Principal Government Town Planner in May 2019 before taking up the position as Director of Planning in January 2021.

Captain West Wu Wai-hung

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Captain Wu joined the then Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force (now the Government Flying Service) as Observer/Crewman in March 1988. He was appointed as Cadet Pilot in August 1990. He was promoted to Pilot II in September 1992, to Pilot I in September 1995, to Senior Pilot in November 2000 and to Chief Pilot in October 2008. He has been the Controller, Government Flying Service since September 2019.

Ms Phyllis McKenna

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Ms McKenna joined the Government as Solicitor in November 1988 before being promoted to Senior Solicitor in March 1992, to Assistant Principal Solicitor in September 2006 and to Deputy Principal Solicitor in October 2012. She has been the Official Receiver since February 2017.

Mr Tom Yip Chi-kwai

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Mr Yip joined the Government as Assistant Town Planner in August 1994 and was promoted to Chief Town Planner in September 2015, to Government Town Planner in June 2020 and to Principal Government Town Planner in September 2022. He is currently the Deputy Director of Planning/Territorial.

Captain Eddie Liu Ka-chun

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Captain Liu joined the Customs and Excise Department as Customs Officer in July 2005. He was appointed as Cadet Pilot in the Government Flying Service in October 2005. He was promoted to Pilot II in April 2008, to Pilot I in June 2013, to Senior Pilot in September 2019 and to Chief Pilot in September 2023.

Miss Lillian Chow

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Miss Chow joined the Government as Solicitor in March 2007. She was promoted to Senior Solicitor in November 2010, to Assistant Principal Solicitor in September 2017 and to Deputy Principal Solicitor in July 2020.

Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government announces senior appointments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 11), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

read the label instructions carefully first;

apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

apply on exposed skin and clothing;

use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images