Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, president of the Legislative Council, is among a group of distinguished Hong Kong political, business and community leaders rewarded in the government's latest honors.

Tsang was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM), the highest award that the Hong Kong SAR Government confers on people for contributions to the community. This year's honors list contained a total of 298 recipients.

Three other people were also awarded the GBM. They were: Executive Councilor Cheng Yiu-tong; businessman Ho Sai-chu; and philanthropist Li Dak-sum. Last year, 283 people were awarded honors, including only two GBM recipients.

This year there are 14 Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) recipients and 13 Silver Bauhinia Star recipients. People awarded the GBS include: Executive Councilor and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Chairman Chow Chung-kong; Legislative Council Finance Committee Chairman Tommy Cheung Yu-yan; former police commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung; and Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman Peter Lam Kin-ngok.

The list was gazetted today (Wednesday) - the 18th anniversary of Hong Kong's reunification with the motherland. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying will present the awards at a ceremony in October.

Jasper Tsang is the founding chairman of Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

According to the official citation, he was recognized for his long and distinguished public service - particularly his exemplary efforts presiding over the Legislative Council. This had ensured its responsibilities were fulfilled in accordance with the Basic Law, the citation noted.

Tsang, an executive councilor from 2002-08, was also praised for the way he had exercised his constitutional powers as LegCo president. He had presided over meetings in an orderly, efficient and fair manner. This was despite filibusters initiated by radical opposition lawmakers.

The other GBM recipient Cheng Yiu-tong is also the honorary president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, the SAR's largest labor union, and a deputy to the National People's Congress. He was praised for his long and distinguished record of public service. His notable contributions include developing labor policies and promoting harmonious labor relations in a non-confrontational manner.

Ho Sai-chu is a member of the pro-business Liberal Party. He is a former lawmaker and now a member of the Labour Advisory Board representing employers. Ho was rewarded for developing labor policies and promoting harmonious industrial relations.

joseph@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 07/01/2015 page8)