Alan Wong will succeed Robert Footman as Commissioner for Transport from June 18, a Hong Kong government press release said Thursday.

Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong said Alan Wong has accumulated rich experience in public administration through various postings in his civil service career.

"I have full confidence in his leadership ability. I am certain he can rise to the challenge in leading the department in enhancing the development of the transport and traffic systems to meet community needs," he said.

Aged 49, Alan Wong joined the government in November 1979 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 1998. He has served in a host of bureau and departments, including the former Home Affairs, Civil Service, Health & Welfare, and Recreation & Culture Branches.

He was Commissioner of Insurance from August 1996 to January 2000 and was seconded to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority as Deputy Managing Director from January 2000 to June 2001. In July 2001, he became Director of Information Technology Services and was appointed the Government Chief Information Officer from July 2004 to January 2005. He has just completed training at the Peking University in Beijing.

Source: Xinhua