New Government Appointments: Chan Chak-ming as Legal Aid Director, Irina Fan as Government Economist Starting 2026.

Government announces senior appointments

The Government announced today (December 19) the following senior appointments after the open-cum-in-service recruitment exercises:

(a) Mr Chan Chak-ming will take up the appointment as the Director of Legal Aid on January 1, 2026, to succeed Mr Chris Chong Yan-tung who will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day; and

(b) Ms Irina Fan Yuen-yee will take up the appointment as the Government Economist on January 5, 2026, to succeed Mr Adolph Leung Wing-sing who had retired earlier.

Commenting on the appointments of Mr Chan and Ms Fan, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "Mr Chan is a distinguished lawyer who has extensive experience in the legal sector. He has a deep understanding of the legal profession and rich public service experience both locally and internationally. With his professional competence, leadership capabilities and strategic vision, I am confident that he will lead the Legal Aid Department in delivering quality legal aid services.

"Ms Fan has profound experience in economic analysis and proven leadership and management skills. I am confident that she will be able to lead the Office of the Government Economist to continue providing professional analyses and advice on economic matters to the Government."

On the retirement of Mr Chong, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said, "I thank Chris for his dedicated service and contributions over the years and sincerely wish him a happy retirement."

On the retirement of Mr Leung, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "I thank Adolph for his contributions over the years and sincerely wish him a happy retirement."

Mrs Yeung thanked Mr Chong and Mr Leung for their loyal and dedicated services to the community. She wished them a fulfilling and happy retirement.

Mrs Yeung said, "Mr Chong has served with zeal and commitment in the civil service for over 33 years. As the Director of Legal Aid, Mr Chong has led the Department in rising to challenges. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to making exemplary contributions to delivering quality service to the public, including enhancing the department's case management and accounting systems to respond to ever-changing public expectations, thereby ensuring access to justice and upholding the rule of law.

"Mr Leung has served with diligence and commitment in the civil service for nearly 30 years. During his tenure as Government Economist, he led the Office of the Government Economist in providing the Government with high-quality economic analyses to support the formulation of policies and measures in different areas. His strategic insights and analytical acumen have been instrumental in shaping policies."

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

Mr Chris Chong Yan-tung

--------------------------------

Mr Chong joined the Government as Legal Aid Counsel in October 1992. He was promoted to Assistant Principal Legal Aid Counsel in June 2006, Deputy Principal Legal Aid Counsel in June 2011, and to Deputy Director of Legal Aid in September 2013. He has been the Director of Legal Aid since March 2022.

Mr Adolph Leung Wing-sing

-----------------------------------

Mr Leung joined the Government as Senior Economist in September 1995 and was promoted to Principal Economist in December 2009. He was appointed as Deputy Government Economist in April 2018 before being appointed as Government Economist in April 2022.

Mr Chan Chak-ming

-------------------------

Mr Chan was admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England and Wales in 1997 and 2002 respectively. He was admitted as a lawyer in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in 2021. He has held various senior positions in law firms and consulting firms providing legal services. He was the elected President of the Law Society of Hong Kong from 2021 to 2024, and has been involved in different international and regional law associations. He has been an Adjunct Professor at the City University of Hong Kong and the Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.

Ms Irina Fan Yuen-yee

---------------------------

Ms Fan has over 25 years of research experience with extensive exposure to Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, the Asia-Pacific region and international markets. She has held senior positions in the financial services and banking sectors. Prior to joining the Government, she was the Director of Research of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

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

HA activates service demand surge special measures

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (December 19) that public hospitals will activate service demand surge special measures starting Sunday (December 21). The HA anticipates increased service demand at public hospitals during the Christmas and New Year holidays and will closely monitor hospital operations.

The HA Chief Manager (Cluster Performance), Dr Larry Lee, said, "Public hospitals will implement special measures to cope with increasing service demand for Accident and Emergency Departments (A&Es) and inpatient services, including enhanced manpower, bed capacity, and laboratory testing services for influenza and other viruses. Hospital command centres will co-ordinate discharge procedures and support arrangements for admissions, discharges and transfers to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate treatment and that beds are available for new admissions. Also, public hospitals will reduce medical elective admissions after long holidays and open extra sessions for fractured hip surgeries during long holidays as and when necessary. Meanwhile, Community Geriatric Assessment Teams will strengthen support for residential care homes for the elderly, such as increasing visits, to reduce pressure on A&E attendance and unnecessary hospitalisation."

The HA will implement special refund arrangements in the A&Es during the service demand surge period to provide stable patients with flexibility in choosing alternative medical care. While waiting for medical consultation at A&Es, patients who wish to seek treatment at other healthcare institutions can raise a refund request for the A&E charges directly from staff on duty at the registration counter. "HA Go" members may also submit refund applications through the HA mobile app "HA Go". This arrangement applies only to patients who have not been attended to by doctors, and applications must be made within 24 hours of registration. Eligible applicants will receive the refund in approximately one month by cheque by mail, credit card or electronic wallet. The special refund arrangements will be implemented until December 31, which will be replaced by the A&E refund arrangement under the Public Healthcare Fees and Charges Reform on January 1, 2026.

Family Medicine Outpatient Services have been enhanced in order to cope with the service needs from members of the public and to alleviate the service pressure on A&Es during the Christmas long holidays. A total of 18 Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) will provide public holiday FMC services during the Christmas holidays (December 25 and 26) (see table below). Patients may book an appointment either through the telephone appointment system or the "Book FMC" function of the "HA Go" mobile app.

The Chinese Medicine Clinics cum Training and Research Centres (CMCTRs) located in the 18 districts will also enhance government-subsidised Chinese medicine outpatient services on December 24, 27 and 29 to meet public demand. Patients may make an appointment either by telephone during service hours or through the "18 CM Clinics" mobile app (applicable to patients who have registered for 18 CMCTRs service). Please refer to the latest information on Chinese medicine services on the HA CMK website (cmk.ha.org.hk/christmas-2025).

The HA urges non-emergency patients to avoid using A&E services and instead seek treatment at FMCs, private doctors or 24-hour outpatient services at private hospitals to reduce pressure on public hospital A&Es. Members of the public can visit the Health Bureau (HHB)'s Primary Care Directory (www.pcdirectory.gov.hk). The HHB has also collated information of private hospitals, healthcare facilities, family doctors and Chinese medicine clinics that will be in operation during the 2025 Christmas and 2026 New Year holidays across the city. The information (including addresses, phone numbers and operation hours) of the relevant hospitals and clinics have been uploaded to the online portal (www.map.gov.hk/gm/s/hhbclinic/all?lg=en) for public reference in collaboration with the Spatial Data Office of the Development Bureau and the Lands Department.

As Hong Kong is currently in the influenza season, the HA reminds the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene during the holidays to prevent disease transmission. People with respiratory symptoms should wear masks and seek medical attention promptly. Eligible persons, particularly those in high-risk groups, should get vaccinated early for seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to reduce the chance of infection for themselves and their family members, as well as to reduce the risk of critical illness and death after infection.

Family Medicine Outpatient Services arrangements during the Christmas holidays (December 25 and 26)

Region

List of FMCs

Address

General Enquiry

Telephone Booking

Hong Kong Island

Aberdeen Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic

10 Aberdeen Reservoir Road, Aberdeen

2555 0381

3543 5011

Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic

1/F, 8 Chai Wan Road, Shau Kei Wan

2560 0211

3157 0077

Wan Chai Violet Peel Family Medicine Clinic

LG/F, Tang Shiu Kin Hospital Community Ambulatory Care Centre, 282 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai

3553 3116

3157 0000

# Kennedy Town Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic

45 Victoria Road, Kennedy Town

2817 3215

3543 5088

Kowloon

Kwun Tong Family Medicine Integrated Centre

UG/F, 60 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong

2389 0331

3157 0687

Nam Cheong Family Medicine Clinic

G/F, Treasury Building, 3 Tonkin Street West, Cheung Sha Wan

3742 3876

3543 5795

Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital Family Medicine Clinic

G/F, Out-patient Block, Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital, 118 Shatin Pass Road, Wong Tai Sin

2354 2267

3157 0118

San Po Kong Robert Black Family Medicine Clinic

600 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong

2383 3311

3157 0113

Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic

1/F, 145 Battery Street, Yau Ma Tei

2272 2400

3157 0880

New Territories

Lek Yuen Family Medicine Clinic

G/F, 9 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin

2692 8730

3157 0972

North District Family Medicine Integrated Centre

3/F, North District Community Health Centre Building, 3 Wai Wo Street, Sheung Shui

2957 5186

3157 0965

Tai Po Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic

G/F, 37 Ting Kok Road, Tai Po

2664 2039

3157 0906

Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) Family Medicine Clinic

G/F, 28 Po Ning Road, Tseung Kwan O

2191 1083

3157 0660

Tsuen Wan Lady Trench Family Medicine Clinic

213 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan

2614 4789

3157 0107

Tuen Mun Family Medicine Clinic

11 Tsing Yin Street, San Hui, Tuen Mun

2452 9111

3543 0886

Yuen Long Jockey Club Family Medicine Clinic

269 Castle Peak Road (Yuen Long), Yuen Long

2443 8511

3543 5007

# Ha Kwai Chung Family Medicine Clinic

77 Lai Cho Road, Kwai Chung

3651 5411

3157 0100

^ North Lantau Family Medicine Integrated Centre (North Lantau Hospital)

3/F, North Lantau Hospital, 8 Chung Yan Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island

3467 7374

3157 0106

^ Will provide clinic services on December 25

# Will provide clinic services on December 26

Service hours: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm

Source: AI-found images