HONG KONG - Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung on Wednesday announced the appointment of Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung and Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee as Non-Official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) with immediate effect.

"Mr Jeffrey Lam and Mrs Regina Ip have rich experience in the Legislative Council (LegCo) and public service, and are committed to fostering the development of Hong Kong. I am pleased to have them joining the Executive Council," Leung said.

"The appointment of two more LegCo members will not only help strengthen the relationship between the executive and legislature, but also facilitate the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ( HKSAR) Government in formulating policies that are more responsive to public demand."

Lam, 60, is currently a Legislative Council member, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He also involves in a number of public services such as serving as a board member of Board of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, a member of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service.

Ip, 62, is currently a Legislative Council member. As a former Administrative Officer of the Hong Kong Government, Ip has worked in a wide range of policy areas, including home affairs, security, trade and industry. She has served as the Director of Immigration in 1996 and the Secretary for Security of the HKSAR Government in 1998.

With the two new appointees, the current-term ExCo comprises all 15 Principal Officials appointed under the accountability system and 16 Non-Official Members.