The 66-year-old father of five will bring experience and powerful connections to Exco.

He is the founder and managing partner of law firm Arculli and Associates, and was a legislative councillor from 1988 to 2000. He has also served on Hong Kong?s Judicial Services Commission, the Independent Commission Against Corruption Advisory Committee and other public bodies. More recently, he chaired the Health Authority?s blunt review of the response to Sars.

'If you ask me now under what situation I would tender my resignation, I can?t think of one right now'

Charles Lee Yeh-kwong

The appointment of Charles Lee Yeh-kwong to the Executive Council is not a surprise, with the Hong

Kong Exchanges and Clearing chairman mooted for a position in Donald Tsang Yam-kuen?s cabinet since Mr Tsang was appointed.

Mr Lee, 69, is considered a competent and wily operator, with his power widely tipped to increase with a yet to be ratified decision to split responsibility for the Securities and Futures Commission with

Martin Wheatley.

Formerly an accountant and lawyer, Mr Lee helped many listed firms go public in the 1970s, which in turn landed him directorships on numerous company boards. He resigned all directorships when he joined Mr Tung?s cabinet in 1998.

? I already quit all listed companies after the handover. I?m not affiliated with any property developers any more?

David Li Kwok-po

In the staid world of finance, dapper Bank of East Asia chairman David Li Kwok-po, 66, is one of

banking?s more colourful figures.

There was the salacious revelation in a tabloid magazine of his affair in a Paris hotel room ? revealed when he left his shoes with his name printed on them outside the door.

Mr Li is the brother of Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, the education minister, and cousin of Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang.

He is close to Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and ran the chief executive?s election campaign.

He is also the pro-chancellor of the University of Hong Kong and has served on numerous government boards and committees.

? I have given up directorships in four companies. I will have more time for Exco ?

Leong Che-hung

Leong Che-hung has had a long and sometimes controversial career in medicine, politics and public service.

He was most recently in the public eye when he quit as head of the Hospital Authority after being fiercely criticised in last September?s Legislative Council report on the 2003 Sars outbreak, in which 299 people died.

But in July, the urologist was back in favour, being appointed head of the Elderly Commission. At the time of the announcement he described himself as ?old and an example of active ageing?.

Dr Leong, 63, represented the medical constituency in Legco and the provisional legislature between 1988 and 2000.

? My resignation from the Hospital Authority over the Sars outbreak can be seen from a different angle ? I am willing to shoulder political accountability ?

Anthony Cheung Bing-leung

Academic Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, 52, is the most interesting appointment to Exco. Interest centres on this: is the co-founder of the Democratic Party?s appointment merely window dressing or is he actually prepared to listen?

The ex-legislator and former Democratic Party vice-chairman is seen as one of few democrats acceptable to the mainland.

The professor of public and social administration at City University heads the pro-democracy think-tank SynergyNet, which is not backward in its criticism of the government.

Professor Cheung also serves in various advisory bodies, including the Consumer Council and the Housing Authority.

? I see myself as a member of the pro-democracy camp ... My background will follow me into Exco ?

Marvin Cheung Kin-tung

Former KPMG chairman Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, 58, is a no-nonsense accountant who unlike many

of the other new appointees, tends to keep a low public profile.

But he holds real sway following his recent appointment as a director of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEx). He is tipped to succeed Charles Lee Yeh-kwong as HKEx chairman next year.

He has impressed many with his ruthless commitment to keeping dubious firms off the exchange.

Mr Cheung is a member of the Airport Authority board, the Exchange Fund Advisory Committee

and the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council. He was also a government-appointed lawmaker in the early 1990s.

? I have been retired for 2 1/2 years and I am willing to take a public role. I cannot play golf for seven days a week and I want to do some public service ?

Henry Fan Hung-ling

Shanghai-born Citic Pacific group managing director Henry Fan Hung-ling is a powerful advocate for corporate governance.

This devotion may stem from his almost fathomless knowledge of the law, having been called to the Bar in England and Hong Kong, as well as being an attorney and Counsellor at Law in California.

In 2003, the 57-year-old told the South China Morning Post: ?I put corporate governance ahead of making profits.?

He acts on his beliefs through his role as public interest director at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, and he is a justice of the peace and holds the Silver Bauhinia Star.

? I don?t know why Mr Tsang appointed me ... But if you ask me whether I represent mainland consortiums or Citic Pacific, I can tell you that I have been appointed to Exco in my personal capacity ?

Victor Lo Chung-wing

It has not been the best year for Gold Peak Industries chairman Victor Lo Chung-wing. Maybe his appointment to Exco will relieve some of his suffering.

Unrest at Gold Peak?s battery plant in Guangdong was sparked by workers suffering cadmium poisoning. This was followed by his son, Alan Lo Yeung-kit, receiving a suspended jail term for drink-driving.

Mr Lo, 54, is chairman of the board of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

He is also a member of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council, chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre.

? My interests in industry, creative technology, design and the cooperation between Guangdong and Hong Kong are important to Hong Kong?s economic development ... I believe in market forces ?

OFFICIAL MEMBERS

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen

Chief Executiv

Elsie Leung Oi-sie

Secretary for Justice

Rafael Hui Si-yan

Chief Secretary

Henry Tang Ying-yen

Financial Secretary

NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS

Leung Chun-ying

Convenor

Bernard Chan

Lawmaker (The Alliance)

Cheng Yiu-tong

Unionist

Laura Cha Shih May-lung

Lawyer

Andrew Liao Cheung-sing

Lawyer

Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee

Lawmaker (Liberals)

Tsang Yok-sing

Lawmaker (DAB)

The 11 policy secretaries will continue to be Exco members, but will only attend meetings when necessary.