96th Congregation (2026)

It is our privilege to present for the award of a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, a man who has given a lifetime to the service of Hong Kong through his energetic, committed and dependable leadership in business, education, and public affairs: the Honourable Tommy Cheung Yu‑yan.

Today, 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 Chinese University of Hong Kong (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.

Mr Cheung was born in 1949, as Hong Kong was recovering from war and rapidly transforming into a manufacturing and trading centre. Growing up in a time when enterprise and perseverance were survival tools, Mr Cheung inherited from his family and community a love of hard work, pragmatism, and responsibility. His development was influenced by the city’s cosmopolitan character: multicultural, outward‑looking, and grounded in the belief that diligence and resilience lead to opportunity.

Following education at the Diocesan Boys’ School, Mr Cheung pursued his university studies in the United States, with a BSc and MSc in Business Administration at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He absorbed new ideas and encountered diverse cultures, broadening his perspective and empowering himself to bridge traditions with innovation for social advancement, as reflected in the wealth of skills that has shaped his many leadership roles in Hong Kong. Originally planning to enter the business world in the United States, he instead returned to his home after his studies and became part of the family business in catering: the Ocean Palace in Tsim Sha Tsui. He became an outstanding representative of the trade that matters greatly to Hong Kong people’s livelihoods and to the city’s reputation as a food paradise.

Mr Cheung established himself as a central figure among Hong Kong’s restaurateurs, eventually serving as Chairman of the Hong Kong Catering Industry Association. His leadership in the catering industry has proven particularly vital during times of crisis. When the city battled economic downturns, health concerns, and shifting market demand, Mr Cheung was a clear voice advocating for fair policies and groundbreaking innovations to meet the challenges faced by the industry. His work helped protect both jobs and the city’s cultural heritage.

Mr Cheung’s standing in the catering sector led to his election to the LegCo, representing the Catering functional constituency. For more than 25 years he held this seat, becoming one of the longest serving legislators in the city’s post handover period. In this capacity, he has been a vocal representative of his industry, while also engaging in debates on broader policies affecting Hong Kong society. In particular, Mr Cheung has emphasised the core significance of the city’s strong business environment, articulating its formative role in all sectors.

His contributions in LegCo may be understood in terms of advocacy for catering industry; public health and consumer safety; and broader legislative work. Mr Cheung has been a bridge between government and industry, safeguarding the economic viability of thousands of establishments that provide employment and culture to Hong Kong’s people. At challenging moments, such as the outbreak of SARS and later the COVID‑19 pandemic, Mr Cheung took on crucial roles as “Emergency Rescuer” and “Strategic Advocate”, urging the government to put protections in place but also to ensure that the burden on restaurants was not too great. His reputation as a balanced and pragmatic legislator was reinforced during these times when the city most required a steady hand.

Beyond his own industry, Mr Cheung has been a dedicated leader of the Liberal Party, and served across many domains, from the Independent Commission Against Corruption to the Basic Law Consultative Committee, from education to housing, showing his concern for the community as a whole. Whether discussing importing overseas-trained doctors, youth employment schemes, social welfare provisions, or the green methanol industry, he has pursued policies that balance economic growth with public interest. His contributions show his deep understanding of the interdependence of all sectors within society.

Closer to home, Mr Cheung’s service as a Council member at CUHK from 2008 until last year deserves special recognition. The University Council, as the institution’s governing body, has responsibility for academic standards, financial management, and strategy. Accordingly, membership of the Council demands not only administrative skill but also a deep commitment to academic ideals. During his time on the Council, Mr Cheung consistently advocated for the strengthening of ties with different sectors in society. Understanding that the city’s future depends on harnessing talent for entrepreneurship, commerce, and innovation, he has encouraged CUHK to cultivate graduates who are resilient, imaginative, and ethical, with a sense of purpose and civic responsibility.

Pursuing the best framework to produce the best CUHK graduates, Mr Cheung has worked tirelessly to upgrade the institution’s governance to align it with its role as a 21st-century university that serves the city and the nation, increasing its societal accountability through greater external representation. Mr Cheung has advocated reform of the Medical Council of Hong Kong in a comparable way, proposing an increased lay representation. He believes that the key to governance is open governance, with external representation an essential part of making institutions work effectively for the whole of society.

The significance of Mr Cheung’s career lies in the coherence of his different commitments. He has championed his industry; been a dynamic participant in public discourse through LegCo; and a thoughtful and pragmatic counsellor to the University. These have been his official roles, but behind them is a profound concern for the city itself: its stability, prosperity, and cohesion.

Hong Kong’s position as an international city depends in many ways on its small and medium enterprises. By protecting employment in the catering sector and by urging policies that combine competitiveness and regulation, Mr Cheung has safeguarded many livelihoods. His leadership results not only in success for restaurateurs, but also in economic security for ordinary workers. The waiter, the chef, the fresh produce supplier: all of them, the unseen and unsung heroes of this food paradise, have had their voices heard and their interests represented.

Mr Cheung has also shown the value of open engagement with society. His reputation as approachable and direct, accessible to both entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens, shows his understanding of politics as everyday engagement. Whatever the forum, he has shown the importance of being accessible – being present in a strong sense.

It is also the case that the city has faced challenges of many forms, most obviously in public health and the economy. In the face of these challenges, Mr Cheung has shown calm pragmatism. Particularly in health crises affecting everyone, his emphasis on workable and humane solutions has been a model, reminding us that troubles can be overcome through clear purpose and collective resolve.

Honoris causa degrees are given to those who have held important positions, it is true, but specifically to those whose personal qualities have given the positions dignity. Mr Cheung’s personal qualities – pragmatism, loyalty, tenacity and vision – have coloured the many roles he has performed. His contributions have been recognised through the highest honours, including appointment as Justice of the Peace, and the award of the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2015 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2022 by the HKSAR Government. These awards signal the esteem in which he is held as public servant and civic leader.

As he continues his work, Mr Cheung inspires younger generations to view leadership in terms of service and responsibility to the community. His journey from student in Hong Kong and the United States, to restaurateur, to industry advocate, to legislator, and to university council member, is a journey of unending contribution to the different communities with which he has been associated.

In recognition of his ongoing dedication to public service at the highest levels, his exemplary leadership in industry, his representation of Hong Kong people in the Executive Council and the Legislative Council, his service as a Council member of this University, and his contribution to the prosperity, culture, and stability of the city, I present to you, Mr Chairman, Mr Tommy Cheung Yu-yan for the award of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

The citation is written by Professor David Huddart, Chair of the Department of English