Rita Lau

In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Lau (née Ng). In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Rita Lau and the Chinese-style name is (Lau)-Ng Wai-lan.

Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan GBS JP (born 8 May 1953) is a Hong Kong former civil servant. She was appointed Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development in July 2008 after her predecessor Frederick Ma resigned for health reasons.^[1] Coincidentally, ill-health also forced her resignation from this position on 8 April 2011, following an operation to remove a colon tumour.^[2]

Rita Lau GBS JP
劉吳惠蘭
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development
In office 12 July 2008 – 12 April 2011
Chief Executive	Donald Tsang
Preceded by	Frederick Ma
Succeeded by	Gregory So
Personal details
Born	(1953-05-08) 8 May 1953 (age 72) British Hong Kong
Political party	None
Alma mater	University of Hong Kong

Rita Lau
Traditional Chinese	劉吳惠蘭
Simplified Chinese	刘吴惠兰
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Liú Wú Huèilán Yue: Cantonese Jyutping lau4 ng4 wai6 laan4

Civil Service

Mrs Lau joined as Hong Kong Civil Service in 1976. She has served in various bureaux and departments in the government. She was Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting (1998), Director of Urban Services (1999), Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (2000), Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment and Transport) (July 2002–January 2004)^[3] and Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands (Planning and Lands) (May 2004–July 2007), and Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology) (July 2007–July 2008).^[1][4] She trained at Tsinghua University in Beijing between January and April, 2004.^{[citation needed]}

She has been Chairman of the Public Service Commission since May 2014.^[5]