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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) held its 96^th Congregation for the Conferment of Honorary Degrees today (3 March 2026). Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council, presided at the Congregation. Four distinguished people were awarded honorary degrees in recognition of their exceptional contributions across diverse fields, including public policy, scientific research and the arts. They are:

(In alphabetical order by family name)

The Honourable Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, GBM, GBS, JP

The Honourable Tommy Cheung Yu-yan is a non-official member of the Executive Council of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a central figure in the city’s hospitality industry. He was also a senior figure in the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and a longstanding member of the CUHK Council: all in all, Mr Cheung has devoted his life and work to the stability and prosperity of the city in which he was born. He is also currently the Chairman of the Hong Kong Catering Industry Association. Mr Cheung has previously held public service roles, including member of the Eastern District Council, Provisional Urban Councillor and member of the Liquor Licensing Board. Mr Cheung was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS) in 2015 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) in 2022, in recognition of his contributions to public service, particularly his support of the Government and the catering industry in tackling challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2008, Mr Cheung has served as a member of the CUHK Council, where he has tirelessly championed the values of CUHK and shown unwavering dedication to enhancing the University’s role as a leading institution of higher education and research. In recognition of his contributions to fostering collaboration between the business sector and public policy, as well as advancing the development of the catering industry, CUHK conferred upon Mr Cheung the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

Dr Michael Hui Koon-man, JP

Dr Michael Hui Koon-man is a renowned filmmaker and award-winning actor with great influence on Hong Kong’s film industry and an esteemed alumnus of CUHK. His profound influence reaches far beyond entertainment, shaping the cultural landscape of Hong Kong and other Chinese societies. He graduated from the Department of Sociology at CUHK’s United College, beginning his career in the entertainment industry during his studies by joining Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB). He has created numerous beloved satirical comedies, such as The Private Eyes, Security Unlimited and Chicken and Duck Talk, which have become enduring classics in Hong Kong cinema. His film The Last Dance also set multiple Hong Kong film and box office records. His unique ability to blend humour with social critique gave rise to a new genre of entertaining yet thought-provoking films. He is the founding president of the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild and its honorary life president. He has also served as a member of the Hong Kong Tourism Board and was appointed Justice of the Peace in 2004. He has received numerous accolades, including the Golden Mulberry Lifetime Achievement Award at the Udine Far East Film Festival in Italy, the Outstanding Artistic Contribution Award in Arts from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. He also won the Best Actor Award at the 2025 Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild Awards for his role in The Last Dance. Dr Hui has maintained a close connection with his alma mater. In 2007, he established the “Hui Koon Man Michael Ming De Xin Min Alumni Prize” and frequently returns to the CUHK campus to share experiences and insights from his career and life journey. In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions, CUHK conferred upon Dr Hui the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa.

Professor the Honourable Lau Siu-kai, GBM, GBS, JP

Professor the Honourable Lau Siu-kai is a Hong Kong member of the 10^th to 12^th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a consultant of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, and an Emeritus Professor of Sociology at CUHK. He holds degrees from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Minnesota. He taught in the Department of Sociology at CUHK from 1975 until his retirement in 2007 and has remained dedicated to research on the social and political development of Hong Kong. He is widely recognised as an authoritative scholar on Mainland-Hong Kong affairs and international political analysis. He served as Head of the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR Government and Vice-President of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, advising on matters in relation to HKSAR Government policies. A leading political sociologist, Professor Lau is known for his research on Hong Kong’s governance, political development, and public opinion. His scholarly work has significantly influenced the understanding of “One Country, Two Systems” as well as studies on Mainland-Hong Kong relations and the impact of international politics to Hong Kong. Professor Lau was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2012 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2024, in recognition of his dedicated service to both the nation and Hong Kong. To acknowledge his academic excellence, public service and contributions to Hong Kong’s policy development, CUHK conferred upon Professor Lau the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa.

Professor Sunney Xie Xiaoliang

Professor Sunney Xie Xiaoliang is an internationally renowned biophysical chemist. He currently serves as the Director of the Changping Laboratory, the Head of the Faculty of Science and Lee Shau Kee Professor at Peking University. He was formerly the Mallinckrodt Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University. In 2018, he relocated to China to continue his academic career. Professor Xie is a pioneer in single-molecule biophysical chemistry, coherent Raman scattering microscopy and single-cell genomics. He has made significant advances in label-free optical imaging and single-cell genomics. His inventions have been used in in vitro fertilisation and have benefited thousands of couples around the world, helping them to avoid transmitting their monogenic diseases to their newborns. He has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Albany Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Research, the Peter Debye Award in Physical Chemistry from the American Chemical Society, the Zhong Guan Chun Outstanding Contribution Prize and the Tengchong Science Award. He has been elected as a member of the Chinese Academy of Science, the US National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, as well as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In recognition of his leadership in scientific advancement, dedication to academic excellence and outstanding research at the intersection of chemistry and biology, CUHK conferred upon Professor Xie the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.