​The Head of Chief Executive’s Policy Unit (CEPU), Dr Stephen Wong, today (December 16) expressed sorrow over the passing of Professor Tang Xiaoou, member of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers (CECA), and extended his deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the CEPU.

     As the Secretariat, the CEPU provides research and secretariat support to the CECA. 

     “Professor Tang Xiaoou has provided a lot of valuable advice in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship and made great contributions since the establishment of the CECA in March this year. I am deeply grieved at the loss of Professor Tang. On behalf of the CEPU’s colleagues, I offer deepest condolences to his family.” Dr Wong said.

     The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, today (June 24) was saddened by the passing of former Chief Justice Sir Yang Ti-liang, and expressed his deepest condolences to his family.

     Mr Lam said, “I was greatly saddened to learn that Sir Ti-liang has passed away. The news of his death was received by all in the Department of Justice with great sorrow. Sir Ti-liang was the first local Chief Justice before Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. He had offered 40 years of service to the Judiciary of Hong Kong with outstanding achievements and was held in high regard in the legal sector. He had always been dedicated to public service and promoting the development of law and order and the higher education in Hong Kong, making significant contributions to upholding the rule of law and to Hong Kong.”

     Mr Lam said that Sir Ti-liang had made profound contributions to the Hong Kong judicial sector. He would be dearly missed by the legal sector and the society.

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
    The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal, Mr Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, today (June 24) expressed deep sadness over the passing of Former Chief Justice Sir Yang Ti-liang.
 
    “Sir TL served as the Chief Justice from 1988 to 1996. He was the first Chinese to hold the most senior post in the Judiciary. He made tremendous contributions to upholding the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. A great jurist of his time, he led the Judiciary with dedication and vision, particularly in its localisation in preparation for Hong Kong’s return to the motherland,” Chief Justice Cheung said.
 
    Sir TL was born in Shanghai in 1929. He was called to the English Bar at Gray’s Inn in 1954, and was appointed a Magistrate in Hong Kong in 1956. He was made a District Judge in 1968 and appointed a Judge of the High Court in 1975. He was elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1980 and served as Chief Justice from 1988 to 1996. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 1999 for his distinguished public service and his outstanding contributions to the development of law and order and higher education in Hong Kong.
 
    “Sir TL’s legacy as head of the Judiciary is rich and substantial, and he will be remembered with great respect and affection. On behalf of the Judiciary, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to his family,” Chief Justice Cheung said.

     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.”