Benson Kwok Joon-fung, former deputy director of immigration, takes up the post of director of immigration on Sept 19, 2023. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

BEIJING - The State Council has decided to appoint Benson Kwok Joon-fung as director of Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, replacing Au Ka-wang.

The decision was made on Sept 13 in accordance with stipulations of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, and upon the nomination and suggestion by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Commenting on the appointment of Benson Kwok, the chief executive said, "Mr Kwok has served in the Immigration Department for 34 years and has extensive experience in departmental operations.  He possesses solid management and leadership skills. I am confident that he will lead the Immigration Department to meet the challenges ahead."

Benson Kwok Joon-fung joined the Immigration Department as an assistant immigration officer in September 1989. He was promoted to immigration officer in 1994, to senior immigration officer in 2002, to chief immigration officer in 2009, to assistant principal immigration officer in 2013 and to principal immigration officer in 2016

"Since taking up the appointment as Director of Immigration in July 2020, Au has made admirable efforts in ensuring effective entry-exit control and smooth passenger clearance, leading the Immigration Department to become an immigration service that displays high efficiency and professionalism.  On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I convey my gratitude to Au for his contribution to the HKSAR and wish him a happy retirement," he said.

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Benson Kwok Joon-fung joined the Immigration Department as an assistant immigration officer in September 1989. He was promoted to immigration officer in 1994, to senior immigration officer in 2002, to chief immigration officer in 2009, to assistant principal immigration officer in 2013 and to principal immigration officer in 2016. He was promoted to assistant director of immigration in 2020 and to deputy director of immigration in 2022.

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Kwok was awarded the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal in 2008, with the first and second clasps in 2015 and 2020 respectively; and the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 2023.

With inputs from Xinhua