The HKSAR Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today presented the Grand Bauhinia Medals in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's honours system to 12 recipients at Government House.

The Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) is the highest award in the honours system. The recipients must be Hong Kong permanent residents who have displayed distinguishing merits over a considerable period.

Those so honoured have, for a long time:

* Fostered among Hong Kong people a love for the Motherland;

* Showed concern about and support for, and also identified with, China's accomplishments; and

* Made an outstanding contribution to the Hong Kong community.

The honours list will be announced annually on July 1.

The 12 recipients honoured today with the GBM are: Mr Wong Ker Lee, Mr Ann Tse Kai, Mr Cha Chi Ming, Dr Chung Sze Yuen, Mr Simon Li Fook Sean, Mr Tsang Hin Chi, Mr Chuang Shih Ping, Mrs Elsie Tu, Mr Xu Simin, Mr Lee Quo Wei, Mr Fok Ying Tung, and Mr Lo Tak Shing.

The HKSAR Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, presided over the ceremony which China's Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister, Mr Qian Qichen, also attended.