Police Big Winners In This Year's Honours List

Dozens of police have made the government's Honours List this year – including some of the force's most prominent officers – with bravery awards for protest-related incidents, and commendations for their handling of the social unrest.

In total there are 687 awards this year, the highest number ever and almost 300 more than last year.

The government says it is handing out an exceptionally large number of honours, to give recognition to those who have been tackling both the protests and the coronavirus.

Around a dozen police officers are getting bravery medals for their acts of courage regarding what the government describes as “ferocious assaults” by “rioters”.

And more than 50 are being rewarded with the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Public Service, including senior expatriate officers Rupert Dover and David Jordan.

The Hong Kong government says the pair have made "outstanding contributions in relation to the handling of social incidents". However, they have also been accused of brutality, with activists in the UK attempting to bring a prosecution against them.

There are familiar names from the protest press briefings the force held last year, including the former head of the police public relations branch, John Tse, senior superintendent Wong Wai-shun, and superintendent Ko Chun-pong.

Senior superintendent Steve Li of the police's national security bureau, meanwhile, is one of those being awarded the Hong Kong Police Medal.

Former police commissioner Stephen Lo is getting a Gold Bauhinia Star for his "loyal and distinguished service to the government and the Hong Kong community".

"He led the force to rise to countless challenges, uphold the rule of law and maintain Hong Kong as one of the safest and most stable societies in the world," the government said.

Lo is among a list of serving and former officials who have been sanctioned by the US for undermining Hong Kong's freedoms and high degree of autonomy.

Others getting the same prestigious award include justice Anthony Murray Gleeson of the Court of Final Appeal and pro-establishment lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok.

Four people are getting the top prize – the Grand Bauhinia Medal – including Legco President Andrew Leung and Executive Council convenor Bernard Chan.

Others award recipients include various doctors for their work against Covid-19, Hong Kong Exchanges CEO Charles Li, President of the Law Society Melissa Pang, and three customs officers who died at sea during an anti-smuggling operation in January.

The government had postponed the announcement of this year's Honours List from July 1, citing the pandemic. It says it is planning to hold the award-giving ceremony at Government House within this year.