Work of the Chief Executive's Office

From January 1997, Mr Tung was provided with offices and staff to help
him prepare for the formation of the first Government of the HKSAR, to
prepare for the Handover and to work on the policies and draft bills he
planned to implement during the immediate months after the handover.
About 70 civil servants were seconded or on loan from the Hong Kong
Government to work in the Chief Executive's Office. They included a
policy secretary, senior administrative and executive staff, information
officers and ancillary staff.

Among major decisions during that period were: the appointment on
January 24, 1997, of the 11 non-official members of the SAR Executive
Council; the appointment by the Central People's Government on February
20, 1997, of the 23 Principal Officials of the HKSAR Government as
nominated by the Chief Executive; the announcement on May 20, 1997,
of the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
(CFA). The announcement of Principal Officials, in particular, was
welcomed because it allowed 21 of the 23 serving incumbents to continue
to serve in their posts beyond the transition. The other two were due to
retire and, by July 1, two new principal officials were also named.

In his Inauguration Speech on July 1, and in his inaugural Annual Policy
Address on October 8, Mr Tung outlined his vision for the future of the
HKSAR. His main objectives include: upholding the Basic Law and the
concept of 'one country, two systems'; maintaining and upholding the rule
of law; enhancing Hong Kong's economic vitality and competitiveness;
raising the quality of education; increasing the home ownership rate;
formulating a comprehensive policy on care for the elderly; and
strengthening communication between the HKSAR and the Mainland.

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