Core members of the Hong Kong government taskforce behind the legislation of a homegrown security law are among 502 people named in the annual honours list. Pro-Beijing scholar Lau Siu-kai is among five to receive the top medal.
On Monday – the 27th anniversary of the Handover – the government unveiled this year’s honours list, recognising people who have made “significant contributions” to the city. Among the recipients were officials in charge of the legislation of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance – known locally as Article 23 – including the government’s new PR head Apollonia Liu.
Liu, then-deputy secretary for security, spearheaded the fast-tracked legislation of Article 23 in March. She was awarded the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government/Public Service.
Llewellyn Mui and Ivan Leung, both government lawyers at the Department of Justice, were also responsible for the legislation. They were among the 170 people who received the commendation for government and public service.
The taskforce will also receive the Chief Executive’s Award for Exemplary Performance for completing the “historical mission,” leader John Lee said last month.
Grand Bauhinia Medal
Five people – including Lau, a consultant for semi-official Beijing think tank the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies – received the highest honour: the Grand Bauhinia Medal.
The government said Lau was “widely recognised as an authoritative commentator in Mainland and Hong Kong affairs, as well as international politics,” and he was recognised for facilitating public understanding of the Chinese and the city governments.
The other four who were awarded the top medal included veteran lawmaker Martin Liao, who the government said had “facilitated the smooth passage of a number of important bills” in the legislature including the Article 23.
Tycoon Peter Lee, chair of real estate giant Henderson Land, was also recognised for supporting charities, anti-epidemic measures and youth development in the city and in the mainland.
Hydropower expert and geotechnical engineer Lee Chack-fan, and Lam Shu-chit – honorary chairperson of the Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Association – also won the top accolade.
Actor and singer Andy Lau received the Silver Bauhinia Star for his “remarkable contribution to the entertainment industry and the community.” While veteran actor Woo Kai-sau, 92, who is better known as Woo Fung, received the Bronze Bauhinia Star.
Article 23
Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of to up to 16 days, and suspects’ access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.
The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the 2019 protests and unrest.
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