HONG KONG, April 23 (Xinhuanet) -- The Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (HKSAR) government announced here Tuesday
that Lau Lai-chiu will take up the post of Director of Lands on
May 17, 2002.
   Lau will join the Lands Department on May 2, 2002 so as to
succeed the incumbent Director R.D. Pope. Lau has been the deputy
head of the Central Policy Unit since March 2001.
   Commenting on this appointment, the Secretary for the Civil
Service Joseph WP Wong said: "Mr Lau is a veteran Administrative
Officer with proven management skills. I am confident that Mr Lau
can lead the department in meeting the challenges ahead."
   The 51-year-old Lau was appointed Deputy Secretary for Planning,
Environment and Lands in March 1997.  Enditem