The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, jointly offered their deepest condolences to the family of Dr Chan Wai-kwan who passed away in Spain on Wednesday (October 8).
Mrs Lam said, "I am very shocked and saddened to learn of the sudden death of Dr Chan. Throughout the past two decades, Dr Chan has devoted a lot of his time in serving the community through his active participation in many statutory and advisory bodies.
"City planning and heritage are matters very close to Dr Chan's heart. Throughout his years serving on the Town Planning Board and the Antiquities Advisory Board, Dr Chan offered inspiring and valuable views much respected by people working with him. He also served on the first term of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee between 2004 and 2007 and chaired its sub-committee on South East Kowloon Development (SEKD), exemplifying laudable efforts in engaging the public in the planning of Kai Tak Development,"
"His wise counsel and passion for building a better Hong Kong will be sorely missed," said Mrs Lam.
Mrs Lau said: "Dr Chan and I used to work very closely during the planning process and public consultation on the Kai Tak development project.
"His contribution in the promotion of trade, service industry and tourism was well recognised. He served as a valued member of the DesignSmart Assessment Panel providing a business perspective to its work in promoting and supporting design in Hong Kong. He played an active role in CEPA related work. While serving the Hong Kong Coalition of Service Industries, he maintained a keen interest in multilateral trade matters, in particular services liberalisation. As member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Tourism Strategy Group since 2004, Dr Chan had contributed insightful ideas in the formulation of tourism promotion strategies and tourism projects.
"I will always remember him both as a trusted friend and a reliable working partner."
Dr Chan is the Senior Director for Business Policy of the Hong Kong General Chambers of Commerce. His extensive public service included member of the Town Planning Board from April 1996 to March 2004, Vice-chairman of the Board's Metro Planning Committee between 2002 and 2004, member of the Antiquities Advisory Board from January 2001 to December 2006 and member of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee (HEC) from May 2004 to June 2007.
Dr Chan also served on the DesignSmart Initiative Assessment Panel, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, Hong Kong Tourism Board and Tourism Strategy Group.
Ends/Friday, October 10, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:25
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