Newly appointed Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So Kam-leung declared yesterday he would give up his Canadian citizenship to allay public worries and prevent political disputes.

So revealed at a press conference held at the Central Government Offices that he had submitted papers to the Canadian consulate yesterday morning to renounce his Canadian citizenship along with his legal professional qualification in Canada.

The former vice-chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) said he hoped, by doing so, to put an end to criticism over his dual citizenship and his loyalty to the SAR government.

Newly appointed Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So speaks to the media about his decision to give up his Canadian passport at the Central Government Offices yesterday. Edmond Tang

He reiterated that it was never his intention to keep his Canadian citizenship a secret.

"It has never affected my commitment to serve the public or changed the fact that I am Chinese," he said.

So moved to Canada when he was 16 and lived there for 15 years. He was a lawyer there before he returned to Hong Kong 20 years ago.

"My life in Canada is and will always be a significant part of me," he said.

So also maintained that it is legal for under secretaries to hold a foreign passport but as a government appointee, he has to listen and respond to public views and concerns.

Therefore he has voluntarily and willingly made the decision before taking up his post next Monday.

There have been voices saying the incident highlights So's political insensitivity.

"I humbly accept the criticism," So responded, adding the issue has strengthened his political aspiration and determination to serve the public.

So added he did not feel like being put under pressure.

Yet he hoped his decision would not influence other under secretaries who are also holding foreign passports or the DAB in any way.

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam reiterated that under secretaries and political assistants are only required to be Hong Kong permanent residents.

It would be good if they could respond to the people's view, but the decision has to be made by themselves and no one else, he added.

DAB chairman Tam Yiu-chung said in a statement that the DAB respected So's decision.

Apart from So, three other appointed under secretaries have admitted to holding a foreign passport.

Soon-to-be Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam Chi-yuen said he had given up his British citizenship.

He made the decision in hopes of defusing criticism over the nationality issue before taking up the post next week.

Julia Leung Fung-yee, who will be the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, is a British passport holder.

She said she will discuss with her family before deciding whether to give up the citizenship before taking up the post in August.

Gabriel Leung, who is appointed to be the Under Secretary for Food and Health, holds a Canadian passport.

He will take up the post in August and called upon the public to give him time to deal with the issue.

(HK Edition 05/30/2008 page1)