Martin Liao
Martin Liao | |
|---|---|
廖長江 | |
 Liao in 2025 | |
| Non-official Member of the Executive Council | |
| Assumed office 25 November 2016 | |
| Appointed by | Leung Chun-ying Carrie Lam |
| Member of the Legislative Council | |
| Assumed office 1 October 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Philip Wong |
| Constituency | Commercial (Second) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1957 (age 67–68) |
| Education | University College London (BS, LLM) |
| Profession | Barrister |
Martin Liao Cheung-kong, GBM GBS JP (Chinese: 廖長江, born 1957) is a Hong Kong politician and barrister serving as a non-official member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong for the Commercial (Second) constituency.[1]
Education and early career
[edit]Liao received his Bachelor of Science in Economics with honours and Master of Laws from University College London. He was called to the Bar in England and Wales in 1984 and in Hong Kong in 1985, and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore in 1992. He served as a member of the Copyright Tribunal from 2001 to 2005.
Political career
[edit]Liao became a member of the National People's Congress in 2008, serving until 2023.[2][3]
In the 2012 Hong Kong legislative election, Liao was elected unopposed to the Commercial (Second) functional constituency, having been nominated by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
He retained his Legislative Council seat in the 2016 election, again without having to face an opponent. He became convenor of the pro-establishment caucus after Ip Kwok-him of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) retired.
In November 2016, he was appointed by Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying to the Executive Council of Hong Kong.[4]
In November 2020, following the expulsion of 4 pro-democracy lawmakers in the Legislative Council, Liao claimed that despite there being no opposition members in the Legislative Council, there would still somehow be opposing views within the legislature.[5]
In January 2021, Liao partially blamed teachers on the 2019-20 Hong Kong protests and said that teachers could have "ulterior political motives" in classrooms which could "deeply impact students negatively."[6]
In February 2021, after Xia Baolong said that only "patriots" could be part of the Hong Kong government and that electoral changes would be needed, Liao agreed and said that it was not up to those in Hong Kong to decide rules on electoral changes, and that "It must be a matter for the National People's Congress and the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Hong Kong has no say in any amendments to the Basic Law."[7]
In March 2021, Liao supported changes to Hong Kong's election system and criticized democratic systems, claiming that the changes would make Hong Kong less prone to "dictatorship of the majority."[8] In addition, Liao claimed that "Many people in Hong Kong are politically immature" and that one vote per person would not be suitable for Hong Kong.[8]
In March 2021, Liao criticized RTHK, claiming that the station was biased against the government.[9]
In February 2022, Liao told SCMP that he would not be attending the 2022 Two Sessions as a Hong Kong delegate.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Liao became a member of the then Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1988, becoming a Voting Member in 2002 and a Steward in 2013. He was elected Deputy Chairman of the Club on 23 May 2023.[11]
Andrew Liao, Liao's older brother, is also a politician and barrister.
Honours and awards
[edit]Liao was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2004 and received a Silver Bauhinia Star in 2014. He was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2019 in recognition of his "strong commitment to serve the community" and his "distinguished record of public service".[12] In 2024, he received Hong Kong's highest honour, the Grand Bauhinia Medal, for his work in facilitating the passage of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hon Martin LIAO Cheung-kong, JP". Government of Hong Kong. 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "Liao, Martin Cheung Kong". Webb-site.com. September 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "The 48th Standing Committee Member". Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
- ^ "Hong Kong leader appoints two new cabinet members just four months from leadership race". South China Morning Post. 25 November 2016.
- ^ "Pan-dems have only themselves to blame: Regina Ip - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
- ^ "Hong Kong lawmakers push for surveillance cameras in classrooms". South China Morning Post. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "Legco looking forward to 'whatever Beijing decides' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
- ^ a b "防止「多數人獨裁」 北京擬改革香港選舉". Deutsche Welle (in Chinese). 6 March 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "RTHK introduces editorial management system led by director with no media experience ｜ Apple Daily". Apple Daily 蘋果日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- ^ "Beijing loyalists in Hong Kong weigh options on attending key political meetings". South China Morning Post. 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
- ^ "The Honourable Martin Liao elected Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club following the retirement of Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung - Corporate News - About HKJC - The Hong Kong Jockey Club". corporate.hkjc.com. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- ^ "2019 Honours List" (PDF). www.gia.info.gov.hk. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Five people to receive SAR's top honour - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2025-07-09.
- Members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Hong Kong Christians
- HK LegCo Members 2012–2016
- HK LegCo Members 2016–2021
- HK LegCo Members 2022–2025
- Barristers of Hong Kong
- Alumni of University College London
- Delegates to the 11th National People's Congress from Hong Kong
- Delegates to the 12th National People's Congress from Hong Kong
- Delegates to the 13th National People's Congress from Hong Kong
- Hong Kong people of Hakka descent
- People from Wuhua
- Alumni of the UCL Faculty of Laws