Henry Tang
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Henry Tang Ying Yen GBS JP (Chinese: 唐英年) (born 1952) is the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong. He is an avowed free-market capitalist who believes in minimal government economic involvement.
The former textile tycoon was promoted from Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology to finance chief on August 4, 2003, replacing Antony Leung. Leung resigned on July 16, 2003 in the wake of protests over the government's handling of a controversial subversion bill, its failure to revive the economy and his alleged avoidance of taxing his new car. Tang briefly served from May 25 to June 21, 2005 as acting Chief Executive after Tung Chee Hwa, the former Chief Executive, resigned citing health reasons, and Donald Tsang, Chief Secretary, resigned to run in the byelection.
Tang comes from a prominent family which runs a textile empire and traces his roots back to Shanghai.
He has extensive ties with PRC leaders. His father Tang Hsiang Chien is a former standing committee member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the advisory body to the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, and was said to have personal friendship with Jiang Zemin, former PRC president and general secretary of the Communist Party.
Tang took up his commerce post in July 2002 as part of a line-up of new secretaries aimed at improving the government's transparency. He is a long-time friend of former Chief Executive of Hong Kong Tung Chee Hwa.
Tang cut his teeth in the private sector. He was named as Global Leader for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 1993 and won the Young Industrialist of Hong Kong award in 1989.
He has been part of Tung's cabinet since the former British colony was handed to the PRC in 1997.
Before that, he served as a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1991 to 1998, and was on various government boards and public bodies. He was a member of the Liberal Party, a pro-businessmen and pro-Beijing party, before joining the government.
Married with four children (three daughters and a son), Tang holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Michigan. He is known for his large red wine collection.
Tang has been a member of the Executive Council since 1997. He served as a member of the Legislative Council for seven years from 1991 to 1998. Tang has also served extensively on various government boards and public bodies, including the Trade Development Council, Town Planning Board, University Grants Committee, and Council of the City University of Hong Kong.
Before joining the Government in 2002, Tang served as the Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries between 1995 and 2001. He was also a Committee Member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and a Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
On May 25, 2005, Donald Tsang, The Chief Secretary for Administration, resigned because of his intention to run for the Chief Executive byelection. Tang served as Acting Chief Executive of HKSAR soon after Tsang's resignation was announced.
[edit] See also
[edit] External link
- Henry Tang (info.gov.hk)
| Preceded by Position created in 2002 |
Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology 2002 - 2004 |
Succeeded by John Tsang |
| Preceded by Antony Leung |
Financial Secretary of Hong Kong 2003 - |
Succeeded by -- |
| Preceded by Donald Tsang (acting) |
Chief Executive of Hong Kong 25 May 2005 - 24 June 2005 (acting) |
Succeeded by Donald Tsang |
| Preceded by Rafael Hui |
Hong Kong order of precedence | Succeeded by Wong Yan Lung |
