Executive Council convenor Regina Ip on Wednesday said she believes new police commissioner Joe Chow will lead the force effectively.

Ip, who's also the New People's Party chairwoman, congratulated Chow on his appointment.

She said she is not too familiar with him, but has observed his performance in the Executive Council.

"Because of his rich experience in policing, along with his good cooperation with Raymond Siu, who has just stepped down from his post, I am very confident that he will definitely lead the force effectively by upholding the spirit of honour, duty and loyalty," Ip said.

With the United States hitting another six SAR and mainland officials with sanctions this week, Ip said Chow would be dedicated to his duties and unaffected by such intimidation if he were also to be sanctioned.

Meanwhile, former security minister Lai Tung-kwok, who's now a New People's Party lawmaker, pointed out that Chow is a "very suitable candidate" for the position.

The police chief joined the force in 1995 and rose through the ranks.

Lai told RTHK that all through the force's history the post of commissioner has always been filled from within its ranks "for very obvious reasons".

The police, he said, "needs an experienced and capable officer to lead the force, and they have a very well-established succession plan.

"Given Joe's long outstanding service within the force, I think he is a very suitable candidate."

One of Chow's key targets is to promote smart policing, which Lai said is crucial.

This is because smart policing is the only viable solution for the force to deliver the best performance with limited, or even reduced, allocations of resources available within the government, he added.