Queen knights top banker and tycoon
Prominent banker and legislator David Li Kwok-po and tycoon Michael Kadoorie were knighted yesterday by Britain's Queen Elizabeth in her annual birthday honours list.
UK-born Sir David, 65, was made a Knight Bachelor in recognition of services to British education. This included the founding of the Friends of Cambridge University in Hong Kong - the alumni association for his alma mater.
Sir David, who is heading Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's campaign for election as chief executive, also set up the Prince Philip Scholarship trust for the provision of financial support to poor families to send their children to study at Cambridge.
Sir Michael, 65, was also made a Knight Bachelor for his charity work, including the setting up of the Kadoorie Charitable Foundations for improving health care and alleviating poverty in China, Nepal and Southeast Asia, and the Gurkha Welfare Trust in Nepal to provide assistance to British Gurkha ex-servicemen.
Knight Bachelor is the most ancient form of British knighthood, having existed since the time of King Henry III, who reigned from 1207-72. It is awarded for public service to those who do not belong to any organised orders of chivalry.
Other British citizens in Hong Kong granted honours include former Hongkong Bank chief David Eldon, who was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE).
David James, headmaster of the Island School, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
