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Thomas Chan

Two key pro-government heavyweights Jasper Tsang Yok-sing and Cheng Yiu-tong are among the four recipients of Hong Kong's top award - the Grand Bauhinia Medal - this year.
The latest honours list also sees 14 others being awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star, including the retired police commissioner, Andy Tsang Wai-hung.
The other two Grand Bauhinia Medal recipients are entrepreneurs Ho Sai-chu and Dr Li Dak-sum.
The Protocol Division Government Secretariat praised Jasper Tsang, who has been the president of the Legislative Council since 2008, as a "well-balanced political figure" who has gained the respect of political parties of all shades.
Tsang will likely face a motion of no confidence over his advice to fellow pro-Beijing lawmakers, via WhatsApp instant messaging service, during Legco's political reform vote on June 18.
Albert Chan Wai-yip, one of two People Power lawmakers who initiated the vote, said the award and the no confidence vote were separate issues, and said the awards ceremony was simply "a party for friends only".
But Chan added: "Compared with some former recipients, I think [Tsang] is qualified."
Jasper Tsang could not be reached for comment.
In its citation for Cheng, an Executive Council member, the Protocol Division said he "adopted a pragmatic and reasonable approach to major labour issues, which helped improve employees' rights while maintaining the business-friendly environment."
It also insisted that there was no conflict of interest in giving the award to Cheng even though the trade union leader is a member of the selection committee.
It said Cheng "was not involved in the discussion of his own nomination", and did not know he was nominated.
Cheng did not return calls for comments.
Lawmakers Tommy Cheung Yu-yan and Lo Wai-kwok will receive Gold Bauhinia and Silver Bauhinia stars, respectively.
The Bronze Bauhinia Star list also includes three pro-establishment lawmakers: Steven Ho Chun-yin, Yiu Si-wing and Alice Mak Mei-kuen.
Retired police head Andy Tsang is honoured at a time when discontent with police at a post-handover high, according to a recent HKU poll.
The Protocol Division said Tsang had "made exemplary contributions to developing strategic partnerships…with overseas law enforcement agencies".
Chan said he was not surprised by the award for Tsang because he had helped the government to suppress pro-democracy protests.
Some 56 people receive Distinguished Service Medals and Meritorious Service Medals for the disciplined services and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
There are a total of 298 people named on this year's Honours List.
No pan-democrats are on the Honours List this year.
Last year, former Democratic Party lawmaker Dr Law Chi-kwong, a Department of Social Work and Social Administration associate professor at the University of Hong Kong, received a Gold Bauhinia star.
Additional reporting by Tony Cheung


Jasper Tsang and former police chief Andy Tsang among those honoured in Hong Kong's top awards

(From left) Legco president Jasper Tsang, Cheng Yiu-tong and former police head Andy Tsang are being awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star. Photos: SCMP

Left to right, Legco president Jasper Tsang, Cheng Yiu-tong and former police head Andy Tsang.

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Hong Kong

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Legco president set for top medal despite likely no-confidence motion
