Hong Kong’s first Chinese chief justice, Ti-liang Yang, dies at age 93
- Chief Executive John Lee pays tribute to former chief justice and describes him as a ‘luminary in Hong Kong’s legal community’
- He served as chief justice from 1988 to 1996, before resigning to run in leadership race for city’s first chief executive
Ti-liang Yang, the only ethnic Chinese to hold the position of chief justice during British colonial rule, died at age 93 on Saturday morning.
Government officials and members of the local legal community paid tribute to Yang, whose career included running in Hong Kong’s first chief executive election, an appointment to the city’s top decision-making body and teaching English as a long-time radio host.
In a statement, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu paid tribute to the former chief justice and described him as a “luminary in Hong Kong’s legal community” who made “exemplary contributions to upholding the rule of law”.
Chief Justice Andrew Cheung Kui-nung hailed Yang as “a great jurist of his time”, highlighting his contributions to localising the judiciary ahead of Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule in 1997.
“[Yang’s] legacy as head of the judiciary is rich and substantial, and he will be remembered with great respect and affection,” he said.
Former chief justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang told the Post that Yang was a “very fine man and a true gentleman, kind, considerate and wise”.
