Sing Tao boss Charles Ho gets Grand Bauhinia Medal in city honours list
Media and tobacco tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok is one of only two people to win the city's top award in the latest honours list.
Media and tobacco tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, who backed failed chief executive candidate Henry Tang Ying-yen and made a scathing attack on eventual winner Leung Chun-ying, is one of only two people to win the city's top award in the latest honours list.
IN FULL: The 2014 Honours List
The government said Ho received the award "in recognition of his distinguished service to the community, particularly his contribution to the media industry".
In the run-up to the 2012 election, the Sing Tao News Corporation chairman questioned Leung's ability to govern Hong Kong, saying: "I would not vote for Leung. I have no way to understand his personality and his political platforms."
A total of 283 people are honoured for their contributions to the city this year, down from 337 last year.
A spokesman for the government's protocol division said last year's number had been inflated by about 60 awards to people who helped the rescue effort after the 2012 Lamma ferry tragedy. "That means the number of awardees this year is actually pretty much the same as last year's," a spokesman said.