Donald Tsang, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), announced Wednesday that he had accepted the early retirement of Chief Justice Andrew Kwok-nang Li.

Li has decided to take early retirement, and has written to Tsang to give notice of early retirement, ceasing service on Aug. 31, 2010 and commencing pre-retirement leave on Sept. 1, 2010.

Li became the first Chief Justice of the HKSAR on July 1, 1997. He will be 61 and would have served in his position for 13 years by Aug. 2010 when he leaves office.

"I believe that my early retirement is in the best interests of the Judiciary. My early retirement will be conducive to orderly succession planning in the Judiciary in the coming years," said Li.

"Taking early retirement is also consistent with my personal wishes. I would have worked for over 37 years by August 2010," he said.

The Chief Justice considers it the greatest honor for him to serve as the first Chief Justice of Hong Kong in the new constitutional order as part of China under the principle "one country, two systems".

Tsang said he respected Chief Justice Li's personal decision and praised Li for his invaluable contribution to the successful operation of HKSAR's legal system and the implementation of the rule of law as prescribed by the Basic Law.

The Chief Executive thanked Li on behalf of the community for his long and exemplary service. He said Justice Li was instrumental in perfecting the Special Administrative Region's judiciary by enhancing its professionalism, transparency and service efficiency.

"I have asked the judiciary to activate the procedures to fill the vacancy of the Chief Justice in accordance with the Basic Law and other relevant legal provisions," said Tsang.

"I trust that Chief Justice Li will work closely with the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission in the next few months to prepare for the selection of his successor," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2009)