Tang Ping-keung appointed as HK's new police commissioner

Published 19 November 2019

BEIJING - China's State Council on Tuesday appointed Tang Ping-keung as Commissioner of Police of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), replacing Lo Wai-chung.

The decision was made in accordance with the HKSAR Basic Law, and based on the nomination and suggestion of HKSAR's Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

According to a HKSAR government press release issued Tuesday morning, Lam expressed her confidence in Tang leading the Hong Kong Police Force. "Mr Tang has served in the Hong Kong Police Force for over 30 years and has extensive experience in criminal investigation, international liaison as well as operational command," Lam was quoted as saying.

On behalf of the HKSAR government, Lam conveyed her appreciation to Lo's contribution to the HKSAR and commended him for his efforts in maintaining the HKSAR as "one of the safest cities in the world".

"He has demonstrated dedication and determination in safeguarding Hong Kong and upholding the rule of law in dealing with the social unrests in the past few months," Lam was quoted as saying.

Tang Ping-keung

Tang Ping-keung joined the Hong Kong Police Force in June 1987 as a probationary inspector. He was promoted to chief superintendent in 2012, assistant commissioner in 2015, senior assistant commissioner in 2017 and deputy commissioner in November 2018. He was appointed as commissioner of police on Nov 19, 2019.

Tang has served in many different posts in the police force, responsible for criminal investigation, international liaison and operations work. Between 2006 and 2008, he was seconded to Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France where he worked as a specialized officer and was subsequently promoted as the head of Criminal Organization and Violent Crime Unit. He served as district commander (Yuen Long), deputy regional commander (Hong Kong Island), regional commander (Hong Kong Island) and assistant commissioner (personnel) between 2012 and 2017. He was director of operations from January 2017 and took up the post of deputy commissioner (operations) in November 2018.