Outgoing tourism chief stirs rumours
Outgoing Tourism Board chairman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee said yesterday that a member of the Liberal Party to which she belongs would be better suited to take over the post but offered no further insight into her successor.
'The work of the HKTB is without doubt economy-related. So if the chairman has know-how in this area, it will be beneficial to the development of the board,' she said.
'From the Liberal Party's perspective, there is a stronger affinity with commerce and the economy. This will be positive to the board's development.'
Mrs Chow, 62, did not comment directly on a report in the Post that the party's chairman, James Tien Pei-chun, is expected to succeed her but said she would not be involved to avoid any conflict of interest arising from her party affiliation.
'Don't ask me. No one has notified me of anything,' she said.
Rumours have abounded that Mr Tien will replace Mrs Chow after she steps down at the end of this month after heading the board for seven years. According to sources familiar with the situation, the Liberal Party had recommended Vincent Fang Kang, the party legislator representing the wholesale and retail sector, as a candidate for the chairmanship but finally decided on Mr Tien.
Mrs Chow's departure comes as the board's executive director, Clara Chong Ming-wah, who was due to leave last week, agreed to stay on until April 18. Mrs Chow denied that Ms Chong's tenure needed to be extended because of difficulties in finding a replacement.
