The Hon Liao Cheung-kong Martin 廖長江議員

Award

Doctor of Laws, honoris causa 榮譽法學博士

Year of Award

2025

Biography

Mr Liao Cheung-kong Martin was born in Hong Kong, though his family roots are in Wuhua County, Guangdong. Mr Liao completed his secondary education in the UK, after which he attended University College London, where he received his Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics and Master of Laws degrees. After returning to Hong Kong to practise law, he specialised in commercial, intellectual property, company, and constitutional law, and participated in discussions on legal reform and public policy, earning the respect of his peers for his exceptional advocacy skills and considerable legal knowledge. His unwavering and impartial commitment to the legal profession has significantly advanced the development and practice of the rule of law and the legal system in Hong Kong. 

Beyond his practice, Mr Liao has also given generously for the benefit of the community. His public service has included roles in the National People’s Congress; the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference; the Executive Council of the Hong Kong SAR; the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR; the Central Policy Unit of the Hong Kong SAR; the District Court; and the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. 

Mr Liao was elected to the Fifth Legislative Council in 2012, representing the Commercial (Second) Functional Constituency. Since then, he has been involved in public governance and social development in Hong Kong, and served as convenor in the Sixth and Seventh Legislative Councils, holding multiple key committee positions driving crucial legal reforms and formulating economic policy. Mr Liao’s strong sense of responsibility in matters of constitutional development and national security legislation is revealed in his valuable advice and endeavours in balancing diverse societal views, thus laying a solid foundation for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. In 1988, he joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club and was later elected a Voting Member, Steward and Deputy Chairman of the Club. This August, he was elected Chairman. 

In recognition of his benefactions to society, the SAR government has made him a Justice of the Peace, and awarded him the Silver Bauhinia Star, the Gold Bauhinia Star, and the Grand Bauhinia Medal. 

Mr Liao was awarded Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.