Hong Kong real estate mogul Peter Lee Ka-kit is one of five individuals to be awarded the city’s highest honour this year, while local actor and pop star Andy Lau Tak-wah will be recognised for his contribution to the entertainment industry.
The 2024 Honours List, announced on Monday as part of the anniversary of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule, recognised 502 individuals for their contributions to society.
The top-tier Grand Bauhinia Medal was awarded to five heavyweights from different sectors, including property giant Henderson Land co-chairman Lee, veteran lawmaker Martin Liao Cheung-kong, as well as academic Lau Siu-kai, an expert on Hong Kong-mainland Chinese relations.
The government said Lee’s company had provided land and vacant flats to low-income households and families as they waited, often for years, for public rental housing to become available. It added that the tycoon had also supported authorities’ efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic by contributing four plots of land for building isolation facilities.
The award also recognised his “substantial monetary contributions” to charitable initiatives and disaster relief work in Hong Kong and on the mainland.
Lee said he was “very honoured” to have served the nation and city and pledged to continue working with different sectors to help develop Hong Kong.
Liao, meanwhile, was given the top honour for his commitment to “coordinating and uniting Legislative Council members to support the government” and enhancing the operation of the city’s legislature.
“Liao has facilitated the smooth passage of a number of important bills through the Legco, including the Safeguarding National Security Bill, which has been instrumental in completing an important historic mission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Basic Law,” the government said.
The city enacted its domestic national security law in March, mandated under Article 23 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, which covers 39 offences divided into five categories: treason; insurrection, incitement to mutiny and disaffection, and acts with seditious intention; sabotage; external interference; and theft of state secrets and espionage.
In recognising Lau Siu-kai, a consultant at the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies think tank, the government pointed to his “sound advice” on strengthening the implementation of Hong Kong’s “one country, two systems” governing principle, and ensuring the public’s “accurate understanding” of the stances and policies of Beijing and the local government.
The other two recipients of the Grand Bauhinia Medal were geotechnical engineering expert Lee Chack-fan, also the director of the University of Hong Kong’s Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole, which specialises in Chinese studies, and Lam Shu-chit, honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations.
Apart from the top five awardees, the government also conferred on 12 individuals the Gold Bauhinia Star, the first in the next three tiers of the awards. Among the recipients were Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Eliza Lee Man-ching and retired Court of Appeal judge Maria Yuen Ka-ning.
Hong Kong movie star and singer Andy Lau, one of the “four heavenly kings of Cantopop”, was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star alongside 23 others.
The government lauded Lau’s more than 40 years in the entertainment industry and roles in over 170 films, calling them “remarkable contributions”. It also recognised his support of charitable causes and sports development initiatives for those with physical disabilities.
Actor Woo Kai-sau, popularly known as Woo Fung, was another showbiz veteran to make the list. He was named as one of 40 winners of the Bronze Bauhinia Star for his contributions to the industry and promoting care for the elderly.
The Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government or Public Service, meanwhile, was given out to 170 civil servants and public officers in recognition of their outstanding service.
The group included former deputy secretary for security Apollonia Liu Le Ho-kei, who spearheaded the legislation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
Liu, now the director of information services, had strongly countered overseas criticism during the enactment of the domestic national security law.
The presentation ceremony will be held later this year.
Modelled on the British system of chivalric orders, the Honours List recognises those who have performed good works in society. The awards had previously faced questions over the elevation of government allies after the social turbulence of 2019 and 2020.
