The State Council of the People´s Republic of China appointed on Monday (17 July) Mr. Chôi Lai Hang as the head of Customs and Excise Department of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR), following the nomination of the Chief Executive, Edmund Ho Hau Wah.

According to the Macau Basic Law and the decisions of Preparatory Committee for the establishment of MSAR on the government departments and appointment of principal officials, the head of Customs and Excise Department shall be nominated by the Chief Executive among Chinese citizens with permanent residency of Macau.

The Chief Executive expressed the gratitude for the confidence and support of the Central Government. He also expressed the congratulation to Mr. Chôi, and was confident that Mr. Chôi was capable of fulfilling the task in his new position.

Mr. Chôi was born in Macau on 28 September, 1965. He joined the Government Shipyard in 1983. He started his career in the Marine and Customs Police in 1987, completing the Police Officer Training Course and the Course for Commanders respectively in 1995 and 1998.

Mr. Chôi was appointed as Commander of the Marine and Customs Police March in 1999. During his services in the Marine and Customs Police, Mr. Chôi has represented Macau at several international conferences.

Currently, the Marine and Customs Police, and the Economic Services Department jointly excercise the Customs functions.

In preparation for the future Customs and Excise of Macau, the Marine and Customs Police has invited Customs officials of Hong Kong to Macau to assist with professional training.