CE, Olympic medalists among 889 people in Hong Kong’s Honours List

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Wednesday named a record-high 889 people on its 2022 Honours List, including Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, several incumbent government officials and 493 people for their roles in the city’s anti-pandemic efforts.

Those honored, who come from different walks of life and have made significant contributions to Hong Kong in different areas, were recognized by former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Lee, along with other six people, was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the top honor under the city’s awards system. The awardees were namely Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal Roberto Ribeiro, the executive and legislative councilor Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, Chairman of the University of Science and Technology Council Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, Chairman of the Arts Development Council and the Film Development Council Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, businessman and Chairman of the Trade Development Council Peter Lam Kin-ngok, and local philanthropist and Fujianese community leader Ng Leung-ho.

Lee was praised for his dedicated and distinguished service to the government and the Hong Kong community over the past 44 years, particularly his contributions as security minister and chief secretary, according to a government press release issued on Wednesday.

“(Lee) assisted the then-chief executive in rising to the challenges and played an instrumental role in coordination in policy formulation and implementation, making significant contributions to Hong Kong,” the government statement reads.

Expressing his gratitude for the honor, Peter Lam of the Trade Development Council said it is great to have received such recognition and encouragement for his work. Pledging to continue his work in solidarity with various sectors, he said he would support the SAR government in seizing the opportunity to accelerate the alignment of its development with that of the nation’s to build a better city.

Noting the four proposals for the city that were laid down by President Xi Jinping during his important speech on July 1 when making an inspection tour of Hong Kong, business leader Ng said he would make every effort to serve the city, to actively further integration with the nation’s development and promote the steady and sustained implementation of “one country, two systems” and contribute to national rejuvenation.

Twenty-five people were awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star, including former and current senior government officials, lawmakers, and veteran actress Liza Wang Ming-chun.

Twenty-eight people, including a number of medal-winning athletes at the Tokyo Olympics last year, made the Silver Bauhinia Star list. They include swimmer Siobhan Haughey, fencer Edgar Cheung Ka-long and cyclist Sarah Lee Waisze.

Over 30 awardees on the list come from the sports sector following the unprecedented outstanding achievements of Hong Kong’s athletes and coaches at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games and other major sports events.

Sarah Lee thanked the government for its support and recognition of athletes, and expressed the hope that sport would continue to produce a positive vibe for the society.

Head coach of the Hong Kong cycling team Shen Jinkang, who was awarded a Silver Bauhinia Star, said: “As a cycling coach, my work is only ordinary. It’s the duty of every coach to cultivate athletes to compete for the city at international stages. … The athletes are there to be thanked for their performances.”

The government spokesman, in gazetting the list, said Carrie Lam is grateful to all awardees for their contributions to Hong Kong and hopes that they will continue to excel in their own fields and serve the community.

The presentation ceremony for the awards will be held later this year.