IT has been an auspicious summer for the Secretary for the Civil Service, Anson Chan Fang On-sang.
In her public career she took a giant step forward when she took on the role of Acting Chief Secretary in the expectation of promotion to the job when Sir David Ford retires later this year.
Developments in private were even better. On July 22, she became a grandmother for the first time. And last Tuesday, she celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary.
''She's the most beautiful grandma in the world,'' said husband, Archie Chan Tai-wing, engagingly. ''And, yes, it's a baby girl. Eight pounds, two ounces.'' At the party the couple threw to celebrate their double good fortune, Sir David Ford, Lady Dunn and Hamish Macleod were all dancing enthusiastically. But none were so enthusiastic as the hosts themselves, both devoted ballroom dancers.
Perhaps it is just a good time for those born in the Year of the Rabbit. Having promised her guests stability and prosperity and 50 more years of marriage, she can, at 53, also look forward to at least another two or three years in the post of Chief Secretary.
Nothing is certain, of course. A year or so ago, her predecessor at the Civil Service Branch, Barrie Wiggham, looked like the sole candidate for the top job. But with the arrival of Chris Patten, times changed and his face no longer fitted. The Governor wanted a local as his top civil servant.
For a while, most bets were on Education and Manpower Secretary, John Chan Cho-chak. Soon he too was suddenly out of the running, putting an end to his own career under British rule by resigning from the civil service.
