No one deserves top award this year, says honours body
For first time ever, the committee has not bestowed a Grand Bauhinia Medal
For the first time ever there is no winner of the Grand Bauhinia Medal, Hong Kong's highest honour, in the annual honours list released today.
Despite a record 321 people receiving awards, the honours committee said it did not think anyone deserved the highest award this year.
The awards were introduced in 1997.
Director of Protocol Tony Nguyen said: 'Only the most deserving will get it, but after very careful consideration, the committee believes no one deserves a GBM.'
The Grand Bauhinia Medal is awarded to people who have made significant and long-term contributions to Hong Kong. Since 1997, 33 people have won the accolade.
Recommendations for honours and awards are approved by the chief executive personally.
Last year there were four recipients, including Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie.
Twenty people will receive the Gold Bauhinia Star, including Commissioner of Police Tsang Yam-pui and former ICAC commissioner Alan Lai Nin.
Also honoured with the gold star are James Thompson, the chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce - who has been a fierce critic of Article 23 legislation - former Court of Appeal vice-president Simon Mayo, the former chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and current chairman of the Airport Authority, Victor Fung Kwok-king, casino tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun, and China Light and Power chairman Michael Kadoorie.
Posthumous bravery awards will also be given to the six public hospital staff who lost their lives while fighting Sars.
Actor Chow Yun-fat gets a Silver Bauhinia Star, and singer Leon Lai Ming receives a Medal of Honour.
Olympics windsurfing gold medallist Lee Lai-shan gets a bronze star, as does Fang Zhaoling, mother of former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, for her accomplishments in Chinese ink painting and calligraphy.
Also among the Gold Bauhinia Star recipients are Breakfast Club head, independent legislator Eric Li Ka-cheung, legislator Philip Wong Yu-hong, and Lingnan University president Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, a former Exco member.
Pro-Beijing community leader Peggy Lam Pei Yu-dja, who is synonymous with family planning, was also awarded the GBS.
'I am very happy and feel honoured. But what I am doing now in the service of the community is what I have always wanted to do. The honour is a bonus,' said Mrs Lam.
Japanese violinist Takako Nishizaki, who has lived in Hong Kong for 30 years, received a Bronze Bauhinia Star.
