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.

Jiang Zemin, in his report to the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, said the Party's door is open to all positive factors of the society, including private entrepreneurs, foreign-invested firm employees, self-employed businessmen and freelance professionals, he also said that the Party should advance with the times. What's your opinion?