HK's information services department director to steps down

The Hong Kong government's director of information services Rex Chang Wai-yuen is reportedly leaving his position due to health reasons, and he will "come back to the government" after the issues are settled. A number of local Hong Kong media, including Ming Pao and HK01, reported that Chang is leaving his position due to health issues. Chang said he hoped to work for the department until 30 June 2022, the last day of the current-term Hong Kong government’s five-year tenure. Chang will be end his time with the information services department on 4 December. Current deputy director Grace Ng will be the acting director. 

According to information from the website of the information services department of the government, the director heads the department that advises the government on all public relations, news, publicity and publication matters. This position plays a key role in the formulation and implementation of the government's overall public relations and publicity strategy, locally and outside Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the deputy director assists the director in coordinating, supervising and monitoring the government's local public relations and information dissemination work at policy and operational levels. This position supervises the local public relations division including the news sub-division, media research sub-division, digital media sub-division, secretariat press offices and departmental public relations units.

Chang is the third director of information services in the current-term Hong Kong government. Joe Wong Chi-cho held the position from July 2016 to February 2018. He was succeeded by Cathy Chu Man-ling, who took up the position in February and worked for the department until September 2019. 

The information services department provides a communication link between the government and citizens through a number of channels including newspapers, television, radio, magazines and other media. It also provides provide PR advice and promote government policies and services with a view to projecting an accurate image of the city within and outside Hong Kong, according to information on the department's website. 

(Photo courtesy: Information Services Department)