Two long-time Hong Kong residents named in British queen’s birthday honours

Two Hong Kong residents have been named members of the Order of the British Empire in the British queen’s birthday honours.

Andrew Weir, former chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce, was made an MBE for services to British commercial interests overseas, while Captain Kenneth Yau, secretary of the Royal British Legion and the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association, was given the award for services to ex-servicemen in Hong Kong.

The honours list is announced twice a year – at the New Year and on the queen’s official birthday in June. The awards recognise the contributions and achievements of people from all walks of life.

Actors, musicians and one infamous fashionista lead the list of British honorees

The Order of the British Empire was instituted in 1917 by King George V. There are five ranks, with the highest being the Knight or Dame Grand Cross (GBE), followed by Knight or Dame Commander (KBE/DBE), Commander (CBE), Officer (OBE) and Member (MBE).

The queen has the sole right in Britain to confer titles, including life peerages, knighthoods and gallantry awards. The queen hands out honours on the advice of the prime minister.

“I offer my warmest congratulations to Andrew Weir and Kenneth Yau for these very well-deserved awards,” British Consul-General Andrew Heyn said.

“Andrew has made an outstanding contribution to trade and investment links between Hong Kong and the UK, and Kenneth’s support to the ex-servicemen’s community of Hong Kong has made a measurable impact on the lives of hundreds of veterans and their dependants.”

Weir said: “I am honoured to receive this award and recognise the efforts and support of my colleagues, the Chamber of Commerce, Department for International Trade and local organisations who work so hard to support the development of strong British business links in Hong Kong, mainland China and the region. I am sure these links will go from strength to strength.”

Yau said: “I am very proud and honoured to receive this award and that my services to the ex-servicemen in Hong Kong has been recognised. I would like to thank all of my comrades who support me tremendously in my services to the ex-servicemen.”