The remaining three under secretaries who had not renounced their foreign citizenship did so yesterday.

The under secretaries for the environment and for food and health announced separately that they had given up their American and Canadian citizenship respectively, while the under secretary for financial services and the treasury declared her renunciation of the right of abode in the UK.

"This is a personal decision," said appointed Under Secretary for the Environment Kitty Poon Kit.

She added she is aware of the discussion and concern over the nationalities of deputy directors in recent days, and hoped she could wholeheartedly prepare for her post next month after the renunciation.

As the assistant professor at the Department of Applied Social Sciences of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Poon has informed the university to terminate the contract.

Appointed Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Julia Leung Fung-yee said she made the decision after having discussed with her family and friends.

Sha said that she had been considering that since the appointment.

"I've also been listening to the public opinions," she added.

Appointed Under Secretary for Food and Health Gabriel Leung said he had never felt pressured to give up his Canadian citizenship.

"This is a personal decision," he said. "This is also my commitment to the new post."

In addition, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong Tam Yiu-chung said member Caspar Tsui Ying-wai who is appointed as the political assistant to Secretary for Home Affairs had also given up his Canadian passport.

Earlier, Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam Chi-yuen and Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Gregory So Kam-leung had renounced their British and Canadian citizenship respectively.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Leung retains his teaching post as the professor in Translational Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, saying it is for the sake of the university, students and colleagues.

He added there is no conflict of interest for him to be the professor and under secretary at the same time.

(HK Edition 06/05/2008 page1)