Chief Executive John Lee, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung and Secretary for Justice Paul Lam today expressed sorrow over the passing of former Chief Justice and former Executive Council non-official member Yang Ti-liang.

On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Chief Executive extended his deepest condolences to Mr Yang’s family.

Mr Yang served as Chief Justice from 1988 to 1996, and was the first Chinese person holding the most senior post in the Judiciary before Hong Kong’s return to the motherland. After the Hong Kong SAR’s establishment, he was appointed as a non-official member of the Executive Council, and was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 1999.

The Chief Executive said: “Mr Yang was a luminary in Hong Kong’s legal community and had made exemplary contributions to upholding the rule of law and to Hong Kong society.

“He has all along been committed to the community of Hong Kong and has made dedicated contributions to the development of charitable affairs and higher education. His eminent contributions will be remembered.”

Mr Cheung supplemented: “Mr Yang made tremendous contributions to upholding the rule of law and judicial independence in Hong Kong. A great jurist of his time, he led the Judiciary with dedication and vision, particularly in its localisation in preparation for Hong Kong’s return to the motherland.

“His legacy as head of the Judiciary is rich and substantial, and he will be remembered with great respect and affection.”

Receiving the news with great sorrow, the Secretary for Justice noted that Mr Yang had offered 40 years of service to the Judiciary with outstanding achievements, making profound contributions to the judicial sector, adding that he would be dearly missed by the legal sector and society.