Government Honours Loyalty

Lee given the highest award, the Grand Bauhinia Medal

The Hong Kong government has released its 2022 Hong Kong Honours List, and former chief executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor made sure she recognised those who stuck by her through thick and thin.

Most notable?

The Grand Bauhinia Medal is awarded to seven people, including current leader John Lee Ka-chiu. Even though he and Lam blundered in proposing the extradition bill in 2019 that led to massive street protests and stepping up violent police action against the protesters.

Chan bungled Covid response but still awarded

Instead he is recognised for his "dedicated and distinguished public service to the Government and the Hong Kong community over the past 44 years, particularly his sterling contributions during his tenure as the Secretary for Security and the Chief Secretary for Administration," the citation reads. 

"With his strong commitment to Hong Kong and outstanding ability and experience in public administration, he assisted the then Chief Executive in rising to the challenges and played an instrumental role in co-ordination in policy formulation and implementation, making significant contributions to Hong Kong."

Others who were rewarded for their loyalty include: former secretary for food and health Sophia Chan Siu-chee, pro-Beijing executive councillor Ronny Tong Ka-wah, former secretary for education Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung (formally he has dropped "Chris"), former secretary for transport and housing Frank Chan Fan, and ICAC head Simon Peh Yun-lu.

Dover led police response to protests in 2019

Another notable person is assistant commissioner of police Rupert Dover, who lead the operations against the protesters in 2019, and Peter Lam Kin-ngok, owner of various restaurants including three Michelin starred 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo, former chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and now the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council.

On Twitter people were wondering how Lee will award himself his own medal...

Other notable honourees who deserve the recognition include Olympic cyclist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, radio DJ Reinaldo Maria Cordeiro otherwise known as Uncle Ray, Olympic swimmer Siobhan Bernadette Haughey, and fencer Cheung Ka-long.

Cheung won gold in fencing in Tokyo Olympics

While no date has been set yet on when the actual awards will be handed out, we are still wondering... will Lee just pin the medal on himself?