The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (June 24) expressed deep condolences on the passing of Sir Yang Ti-liang, former Chief Justice and former non-official member of the Executive Council.
      
     “Sir Ti-liang was a luminary in Hong Kong’s legal community and had made exemplary contributions to upholding the rule of law and to Hong Kong society. He served as the Chief Justice from 1988 to 1996, and was the first Chinese person holding the most senior post in the Judiciary before Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. After the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Sir Ti-liang was appointed as an non-official member of the Executive Council, and provided valuable counsel to the HKSAR Government on governance.
      
     “Sir Ti-liang has all along been committed to the community of Hong Kong and has made dedicated contributions to the development of charitable affairs and higher education. His eminent contributions will be remembered for a long time. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal by the HKSAR Government in 1999.”
      
     “I express sorrow over the passing of Sir Ti-liang. On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Mr Lee said.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, expressed sorrow over the passing of renowned scholar Professor Lau Shiu-ming.

     Mr Yeung said, “Professor Lau was a scholar in modern and contemporary Chinese literature, an educator, a translator and a writer, making great contribution to the literary sector. Professor Lau served at Lingnan University for over ten years before his retirement in 2004, devoted to the cultivations of talents. We are saddened by his passing.”