Martin Liao

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In this Hong Kong name, the surname is Liao. In accordance with Hong Kong custom, the Western-style name is Martin Liao and the Chinese-style name is Liao Cheung-kong.
The Honourable
Martin Liao
GBM GBS JP
廖長江
Liao in 2025
Non-official Member of the Executive Council
Incumbent
Assumed office
25 November 2016
Appointed byLeung Chun-ying
Carrie Lam
Member of the Legislative Council
In office
1 October 2012 – 31 December 2025
Preceded byPhilip Wong
Succeeded byAndrew Yao
ConstituencyCommercial (Second)
Personal details
Born1957 (age 68–69)
EducationUniversity College London (BS, LLM)
ProfessionBarrister

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. He has been the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club since August 2025.[1] Liao was a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong for the Commercial (Second) constituency from 2012 to 2025,[2] and was convenor of the pro-Beijing camp in the Legislative Council from 2016 to 2025. He previously served as a Hong Kong delegate to the National People's Congress from 2008 to 2023.

Early life and education

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Liao was born in British Hong Kong in 1957 and grew up in Luen Wo Hui, a market town in the northern New Territories.[3][4] He was raised in a Christian family and attended Ying Wa College, a protestant secondary school in Kowloon,[5][6] before transferring to a secondary school in the United Kingdom.

Liao subsequently attended University College London, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics with honours and Master of Laws. 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.

As a young barrister, Liao initially supported of the 1989 student protests in Tiananmen Square and opposed the Chinese government's armed crackdown; along with a number of other legal figures, Liao signed a statement urging Beijing to lay down arms and enter into negotiations with the students.[7]

Political career

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Liao became a member of the National People's Congress in 2008, serving until 2023.[8][9]

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.[10]

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 be opposing views within the legislature.[11]

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."[12]

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."[13]

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."[14] 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.[14]

In March 2021, Liao criticized RTHK, claiming that the station was biased against the government.[15]

In December 2021, Liao was re-elected as Legislative Councilor through Commercial (Second) functional constituency with 176 votes.[16]

In February 2022, Liao told SCMP that he would not be attending the 2022 Two Sessions as a Hong Kong delegate.[17]

In October 2025, Liao decided to retire as Legislative Councilor after 13 years of service.[18]

Personal life

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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.[19]

Andrew Liao, Liao's older brother, is also a politician and barrister.

Honours and awards

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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".[20] 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.[21]

References

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  1. ^ "New Hong Kong Jockey Club Chairman Martin Liao pays tribute to predecessor Lee's stable leadership". www.thestandard.com.hk. Retrieved 2026-01-22.
  2. ^ "Hon Martin LIAO Cheung-kong, JP". Government of Hong Kong. 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  3. ^ "【人物志】在銀河躺臥的葉漢良（二）" (in Chinese). 香港蘋果日報. 2021-12-19. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  4. ^ 葉漢良 (2020-06-20). "地攤雜思". 香港蘋果日報. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
  5. ^ 葉漢良 (2020-06-20). "地攤雜思". 香港蘋果日報. Retrieved 2025-10-14.
  6. ^ "【人物志】在銀河躺臥的葉漢良（二）" (in Chinese). 香港蘋果日報. 2021-12-19. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  7. ^ "從撐89學運到投共懷抱". Archived from the original on 2016-10-18. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  8. ^ "Liao, Martin Cheung Kong". Webb-site.com. September 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  9. ^ "The 48th Standing Committee Member". Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  10. ^ "Hong Kong leader appoints two new cabinet members just four months from leadership race". South China Morning Post. 25 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Pan-dems have only themselves to blame: Regina Ip - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  12. ^ "Hong Kong lawmakers push for surveillance cameras in classrooms". South China Morning Post. 2021-01-22. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  13. ^ "Legco looking forward to 'whatever Beijing decides' - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "2021 Legislative Council General Election - Election Results". www.elections.gov.hk. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  17. ^ "Beijing loyalists in Hong Kong weigh options on attending key political meetings". South China Morning Post. 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  18. ^ Lam, byMarco. "Veteran lawmaker Martin Liao not seeking re-election in next LegCo term". www.thestandard.com.hk. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
  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.
  20. ^ "2019 Honours List" (PDF). www.gia.info.gov.hk. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Five people to receive SAR's top honour - RTHK". news.rthk.hk. Retrieved 2025-07-09.

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