Cantopop Star Leon Lai Gets Bauhinia Medal

Cantopop superstar Leon Lai is the most famous name on this year's list of people honoured by the government for their services to Hong Kong.

The list, published to mark the anniversary of the handover on Monday, also includes business figures, educators and pro-Beijing political figures.

The two men getting the Grand Bauhinia Medal are Yu Kwok-chun, who heads the Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations, and Albert Hung, an advisor to the Federation of Fujian Associations. Four people were given the top award last year.

The head of the pro-government camp, lawmaker Martin Liao, the Anglican Church head, Archibishop Paul Kwong, and Hospital Authority chair John Leong were among 11 people given the second-tier award, the Gold Bauhinia Star.

Twenty three people, including Lai, unionist Stanley Ng and Education University head Stephen Cheung, were given the Silver Bauhinia Star.

Lai, who released his first album in 1990, is one of Hong Kong's most popular entertainers. He's been described as one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Cantopop" and is honoured for his charitable work over the decades.

In total, Chief Executive Carrie Lam gave some 399 people awards this year, 117 more than last year.