The Honourable
Martin Liao
JP
廖長江
Liao attending the Hong Kong International Races 2023 raceday as a steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the Sha Tin Racecourse on 10 December 2023
Non-official Member of the Executive Council
Assumed office
25 November 2016
Appointed byLeung Chun-ying
Carrie Lam
Member of the Legislative Council
Assumed office
1 October 2012
Preceded byPhilip Wong
ConstituencyCommercial (Second)
Personal details
Born1957 (age 66–67)
Alma materUniversity College London
ProfessionBarrister

Martin Liao Cheung-kong, JP (Chinese: 廖長江, born 1957) is a non-official member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong and a member of Legislative Council of Hong Kong for Commercial (Second) constituency and a barrister.[1]

Background

Liao received his honorary Bachelor of Science in Economics and Master of Laws from University College London. He was a member of the Copyright Tribunal from 2001 to 2005. Since 2008, Liao has been a member of the National People's Congress.[2][3] Andrew Liao is his older brother.

In the 2012 Hong Kong legislative election, Liao secured the Commercial (Second) functional constituency, nominated by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, uncontested.

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]

Honours

Liao was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 2004.

References

  1. ↑ "Hon Martin LIAO Cheung-kong, JP". Government of Hong Kong. 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  2. ↑ "Liao, Martin Cheung Kong". Webb-site.com. September 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  3. ↑ "The 48th Standing Committee Member". Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "Hong Kong leader appoints two new cabinet members just four months from leadership race". South China Morning Post. 25 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Pan-dems have only themselves to blame: Regina Ip - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  6. ↑ "Hong Kong lawmakers push for surveillance cameras in classrooms". South China Morning Post. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  7. ↑ "Legco looking forward to 'whatever Beijing decides' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  8. 1 2 Kong, Dimsumdaily Hong (2021-03-06). "Hong Kong reforms prevent 'dictatorship of the majority', pro-Beijing lawmaker says". Dimsum Daily. Retrieved 2021-03-07.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "Beijing loyalists in Hong Kong weigh options on attending key political meetings". South China Morning Post. 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
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