Director of the Hong Kong Observatory - retirement and appointment

The Government has announced that Mr Lam Chiu-ying will succeed Dr Lam Hung-kwan as Director of the Hong Kong Observatory with effect from 14 March 2003 when Dr Lam proceeds on pre-retirement leave.

Dr Lam Hung-kwan welcomed the announcement. He said, "Mr Lam is an experienced meteorologist who is committed to serve the community on the basis of good science. I am glad to hand over the reins to him."

Mr Lam Chiu-ying said, "I thank the Government for the trust it has bestowed upon me. I have loved weather since my childhood. I am particularly pleased that forecasting weather has allowed me to contribute to the well-being of the community. I shall work closely with my colleagues to meet the changing needs of Hong Kong."

Mr Lam pays tribute to the excellent work of Dr Lam as Director of the Hong Kong Observatory. He said, "Dr Lam has been the locomotive of changes. He has given the Observatory a strong focus on customer service. He has propelled the Observatory to the frontier of a number of scientific areas. Through his tireless effort, he has firmly established the Observatory as a world-class meteorological service."

Dr Lam currently serves as the Vice-President of the Regional Association II (Asia) of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization. This is the highest position ever held by a staff of the Hong Kong Observatory in this United Nations Specialized Agency.