The Hon Matthew Cheung, GBS, JP

The Hon Matthew Cheung is currently the Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). He joined the Hong Kong Government in July 1972 after graduating from The University of Hong Kong. He began his civil service career as an Information Officer with the Government Information Services (GIS). Whilst in GIS, Mr Cheung served in the Hong Kong Government Office in London and later as Overseas Liaison Editor.

Mr Cheung transferred to the Administrative Service in September 1979 and had since held a wide spectrum of positions in the policy-making and strategic management stream. Amongst his earlier postings were Assistant Private Secretary to the Governor, Sir Edward Youde (1983-85), District Officer (North) (1986-88), Administrative Assistant to the Financial Secretary, Sir Hamish Macleod (1991-93), and Assistant Director-General of Trade (1989-91).

As a senior directorate officer, Mr Cheung served as Deputy Judiciary Administrator (1993-95); Deputy Head, Central Policy Unit (1995-96) (the government think-tank); Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower (1996-99); Commissioner for Labour (1999-2000); and Director of Education (2000-2002). Following the introduction of the Accountability System in July 2002 by the HKSAR Government, he was appointed Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, with special responsibility for the labour portfolio.