Government Announces Key Senior Appointments in Transport, Innovation, and Logistics Sectors

Government announces senior appointments

The Government announced today (October 14) the following senior appointments:

(a) Mr Kevin Choi, Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry on October 27, 2025, to succeed Mr Eddie Mak Tak-wai, who proceeded on pre-retirement leave on September 26, 2025;

(b) Mr Vic Yau Cheuk-hang, Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, will take up the post of Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics on November 17, 2025; and

(c) Mrs Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki, Private Secretary to the Chief Executive, will take up the post of Director of Government Logistics on October 27, 2025, to succeed Mr Carlson Chan Ka-shun, who proceeded on pre-retirement leave on September 19, 2025.

Commenting on the appointments of Mr Choi, Mr Yau and Mrs Kwok, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "The appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will continue to serve the community with professionalism in their new posts."

On the retirements of Mr Mak and Mr Chan, Mrs Yeung thanked them for each rendering over 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the community and making a significant contribution to the Government. She wished them a fulfilling and happy retirement.

Mrs Yeung said, "During Mr Mak's tenure as Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, he played a pivotal role in driving the development of Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology hub. He spearheaded an array of key policy initiatives, including diversifying funding avenues for innovation and technology initiatives, attracting talent with research expertise and outcomes, deepening collaboration with the Mainland, and promoting digital government services. Mr Mak twice served in Hong Kong's overseas Economic and Trade Offices to advance Hong Kong's economic and trade interests, while supporting overseas enterprises to expand business in Hong Kong."

Turning to Mr Chan, Mrs Yeung said, "As Director of Government Logistics, Mr Chan made sterling efforts to provide quality services to government departments in the areas of procurement and supplies, transport operation and management, and printing services. During Mr Chan's tenure as Director (Special Duties), Housing Bureau, he spearheaded the amendment of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) to implement tenancy regulation on subdivided units."

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

Mr Eddie Mak Tak-wai

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Mr Mak joined the Administrative Service in August 1991 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A1 in April 2024. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Chief Secretary's Office, the former New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, the former Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington and the Post Office. He was Hong Kong Commissioner for Economic and Trade Affairs, USA, from July 2018 to September 2021, Director, Celebrations Coordination Office from January to June 2022, and served as Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry from July 2022 to September 2025.

Mr Carlson Chan Ka-shun

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Mr Chan joined the Administrative Service in September 1987 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2018. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, the former Chief Secretary's Office, the former Hong Kong Government Office in London, the former Home Affairs Branch, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo, the Housing Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Office of the Chief Executive-elect and the Chief Executive's Office. He was Commissioner for Labour from October 2016 to December 2020, Director (Special Duties), Transport and Housing Bureau (later renamed as Director (Special Duties), Housing Bureau)/Director of Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority from December 2020 to July 2022, and served as Director of Government Logistics from July 2022 to September 2025.

Mr Kevin Choi

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Mr Choi joined the Administrative Service in October 1997 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2024. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the former Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau (later reorganised as the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau), the Chief Executive's Office, the Development Bureau, the Civil Aviation Department, the former Transport and Housing Bureau and the former Food and Health Bureau (later reorganised as the Health Bureau). He was Private Secretary to the Chief Executive from February 2023 to May 2024, Permanent Secretary, Chief Executive's Office from May 2024 to April 2025, and has been serving as Permanent Secretary for Transport and Logistics since April 2025.

Mr Vic Yau Cheuk-hang

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Mr Yau joined the Administrative Service in July 1997 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in April 2025. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the Home Affairs Department, the former Home Affairs Bureau, the former Environment, Transport and Works Bureau, the Housing Department, the Chief Executive's Office and the Security Bureau. He was Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) from December 2018 to February 2023, Director, Preparatory Office for Northern Metropolis from February to June 2023, and has been serving as Director, Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office since June 2023.

Mrs Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki

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Mrs Kwok joined the Administrative Service in September 1994 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2024. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Security Branch, the Transport Department, the former Health and Welfare Bureau, the former Education and Manpower Bureau, the former Constitutional Affairs Bureau, Chief Secretary for Administration's Office, the former Environment Bureau, the Home Affairs Department, the Housing Department and the Environmental Protection Department. She was Deputy Secretary for Security from May 2020 to July 2022, Deputy Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism from July 2022 to May 2024, and has been serving as Private Secretary to the Chief Executive since May 2024.

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

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases