Dr Stephen Wong will take up the post of Head, the Chief Executive’s Policy Unit on Dec 28, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
HONG KONG – The Chief Executive's Policy Unit (CEPU) would be established on Wednesday, according to the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Chief Executive John Lee K-chiu has appointed Dr Stephen Wong Yuen-shan, 48, a member of the Legislative Council and senior vice president and executive director of Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation (OHKF), the government said in a statement on Tuesday.
A former investment banker, Wong will assume office on Wednesday. He will get the other CEPU members on board, and lead the CEPU in taking its work forward, the statement added.
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In his maiden Policy Address delivered in October, the CE stressed on prioritizing enhancing governance capability and governance efficacy.
With his visionary mindset in national matters and strong interest in international situations, Dr Wong is the appropriate choice to head the CEPU.
John Lee, Chief Executive, HKSAR
The establishment of the CEPU is an important step in enhancing the government's capabilities in research and advocacy on long-term and strategic issues, said the government.
Pointing out that Wong has years of extensive experience in public policy research, the CE expressed his belief that he can lead the CEPU, contribute strategic suggestions and assist him and the government in policymaking.
“During his time as head of policy research at a leading think tank, he forged close collaboration and communication with top think tanks in the mainland. He pays close attention to and is familiar with national development.”
“With his visionary mindset in national matters and strong interest in international situations, Mr Wong is the appropriate choice to head the CEPU.”
The CE expects the CEPU to make contributions advocating for and assisting in the formulation of long-term and strategic policies from a forward-thinking perspective.
He also expects the policy unit to keep abreast of national development, including directions, plans and policies, analyze and suggest areas of significance in the integration into national development, and actively participate in and contribute to the pursuit of such areas.
The CEPU is expected to examine international relations and situations, and analyze opportunities and risks, so that the government can seize opportunities, create a favorable environment for development, and manage risks.
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Lee expects the CEPU to grasp the sentiments of Hong Kong citizens, understand the general direction and focus of their concerns, discover factors that are conducive to social harmony and stability, and assist in decision-making directions and formulation of measures.
Profile of Dr Stephen Wong
Wong, who joined Our Hong Kong Foundation in 2015, is an adjunct associate professor at the Institute for China Business of the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts (Phi Beta Kappa) in Economics from the University of Chicago, his Master of Arts in East Asian Studies (Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies) from Yale University, and his Doctor of the Public Administration from the University of Hong Kong.
He was in managerial roles with several global financial institutions, including as Executive Director at UBS (London) and Managing Director at Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).
He has held a number of public service positions, including member of the Board of the Financial Services Development Council, member of the Urban Renewal Authority Board, member of the Town Planning Board and member of the former Task Force on Land Supply.