Hong Kong – Appointment of Commissioner of Customs and Excise (with photo)

     The Central People’s Government, on the recommendation and nomination of the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, has approved the appointment of Ms Louise Ho Pui-shan, formerly Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise, as Commissioner of Customs and Excise and the removal of Mr Hermes Tang Yi-hoi from the post of Commissioner of Customs and Excise with effect from today (October 21). Mr Tang proceeded on pre-retirement leave on the same day after serving the Customs and Excise Department for 34 years.
 
     Commenting on the appointment of Ms Ho, Mrs Lam said, “Ms Ho has served in the Customs and Excise Department for 30 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations. She possesses solid management and leadership skills. I am confident that she will lead the Customs and Excise Department in meeting the challenges ahead.”
 
     Speaking on the retirement of Mr Tang, Mrs Lam said, “Since taking up the appointment as Commissioner of Customs and Excise in July 2017, Mr Tang has made sustained efforts in leading the Department with distinguished results on the prevention of smuggling activities, the protection and collection of Government revenue on dutiable goods, the detection and deterrence of narcotics trafficking and abuse of controlled drugs, the protection of intellectual property rights and consumer interests, the regulation of money service operators, the protection and facilitation of legitimate trade and the upholding of Hong Kong’s trading integrity. On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, I convey my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Tang for his contribution to the HKSAR and I wish him a happy retirement.”
 
     The following are biographical notes on Mr Tang and Ms Ho:
 
Mr Hermes Tang
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     Mr Tang joined the Immigration Department as Immigration Assistant in February 1985. He subsequently joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in 1987. He was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2009, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2011, to Chief Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2013, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2015 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2016. He took up the Commissioner of Customs and Excise post in July 2017.
 
     Mr Tang has been awarded seven Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendations between 1992 and 2006; Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendation in 1997; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2005, with the first and second clasps in 2012 and 2017 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service in 2014; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Distinguished Service in 2019; and the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2021.
 
Ms Louise Ho
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     Ms Ho joined the Customs and Excise Department as Inspector of Customs and Excise in February 1991. She was promoted to Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2010, to Senior Superintendent of Customs and Excise in 2013, to Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2017 and to Deputy Commissioner of Customs and Excise in 2019.
 
     Ms Ho has been awarded three Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise’s Commendations in 1999, 2003 and 2005 respectively; Hong Kong Customs and Excise Long Service Medal in 2009, with the first clasp in 2016; and Hong Kong Customs and Excise Medal for Meritorious Service in 2017.