Lau Wong-fat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dr the Honourable Lau Wong-fat GBM GBS OBE JP
劉皇發
Non-official Member of the Executive Council
In office 21 January 2009 – 30 June 2012
Appointed by	Donald Tsang
Succeeded by	Cheung Hok-ming
Member of the Legislative Council
In office 30 October 1985 – 25 August 1988
Preceded by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Cheung Yan-lung
Constituency	Regional Council
In office 12 October 1988 – 22 August 1991
Appointed by	Sir David Wilson
In office 9 October 1991 – 30 June 1997
Preceded by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Council abolished
Constituency	Rural
In office 22 February 1997 – 8 April 1998 (Provisional Legislative Council)
In office 1 July 1998 – 30 September 2004
Preceded by	New parliament
Succeeded by	Lam Wai-keung
Constituency	Heung Yee Kuk
In office 1 October 2004 – 30 September 2008
Preceded by	Ip Kwok-him
Succeeded by	Ip Kwok-him
Constituency	District Council
In office 1 October 2008 – 30 September 2016
Preceded by	Lam Wai-keung
Succeeded by	Kenneth Lau
Constituency	Heung Yee Kuk
Chairman of the Regional Council
In office 1 April 1995 – 31 December 1999
Preceded by	Lam Wai-keung
Succeeded by	Council abolished
Chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk
In office 1 June 1980 – 31 May 2015
Preceded by	Wong Yuen-cheung
Succeeded by	Kenneth Lau
Chairman of the Tuen Mun District Council
In office 1985 – 1 April 2011
Preceded by	Ricky C. C. Fung
Succeeded by	Leung Kin-man
In office 6 January 2012 – 31 December 2015
Preceded by	Leung Kin-man
Succeeded by	Leung Kin-man
Personal details
Born	(1936-10-15)15 October 1936 Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun, British Hong Kong
Died	23 July 2017(2017-07-23) (aged 80) Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
Cause of death	Chronic condition
Nationality	Hong Kong Chinese
Political party	FSHK (1991–93) Liberal Party (1993–2008) Economic Synergy (2009–12) BPA (2012–17)
Spouse	Lau Ng Mui-chu
Children	Kenneth Lau
Residence	Hong Kong
Alma mater	Ling Shan College
Occupation	Politician and businessman

Lau Wong-fat (born October 15, 1936 – died July 23, 2017) was an important businessman and politician in Hong Kong. He was known for being the long-time chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk, a powerful group that looks after the interests of people living in the New Territories. He led this group for 35 years, from 1980 to 2015.

Lau Wong-fat was also a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong from 1985 to 2016. This council helps make laws for Hong Kong. From 2009 to 2012, he was a special advisor in the Executive Council of Hong Kong, which is the highest advisory group for the Hong Kong government. He also served on other important councils, like the Regional Council of Hong Kong and the Tuen Mun District Council.

He started his political journey as a village representative in Tuen Mun. He then became the head of the Heung Yee Kuk in 1980. He held this important role for 35 years, eventually passing it on to his son, Kenneth Lau. He helped make sure that the interests of New Territories villagers were protected in the Basic Law of Hong Kong, which is like Hong Kong's mini-constitution. Because of his many roles and his connection to land, he was sometimes called the "King of the New Territories." He passed away in 2017 at the age of 80 after a long illness.

Early Life and Community Leadership

Lau Wong-fat was born in 1936 in a village called Lung Kwu Tan in Tuen Mun, New Territories. When he was 22, the people in his village chose him to be their representative. This made him the youngest village leader at that time.

In 1970, he became the chairman of the Tuen Mun Rural Committee. He held this position for 41 years. This committee helps manage local village affairs. He was re-elected as chairman of the rural committee in 2015.

As the head of the rural committee, Lau Wong-fat automatically became a member of the Tuen Mun District Council. He became its chairman in 1985. Even when he briefly lost this position, he was appointed back to the council by the Chief Executive Donald Tsang. He continued to serve as chairman of the Tuen Mun District Council until 2016.

Leading the Heung Yee Kuk

In 1980, Lau Wong-fat became the chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk. This organization represents the interests of all the people living in the New Territories. He led the Kuk for 35 years, being elected nine times. This powerful role made him a very important figure in Hong Kong politics. In May 2015, he stepped down, and his son, Kenneth Lau, took over as chairman.

Lau Wong-fat was invited to a special event in Beijing in 1984. This was when the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed, which decided Hong Kong's future. In 1985, the Chinese government asked him to join the Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee. This committee wrote the Basic Law, which guides Hong Kong after it returned to China in 1997. He helped make sure that the rights of the original New Territories villagers were protected in this law.

He was also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference from 1993 to 2003. This is an important advisory body in mainland China. He also served on other committees that helped prepare for Hong Kong's return to China.

In 1986, Lau Wong-fat also joined the Regional Council. He became the chairman of this council from 1995 until it was combined with other councils in 2000.

Serving in the Legislative Council

Lau Wong-fat first became a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong in 1985. He was elected through a special way called a "functional constituency," which means he was chosen by members of the Regional Council. Later, a special "Rural" constituency was created for the Heung Yee Kuk. Lau Wong-fat was elected six times without anyone running against him for this seat.

He was one of the people who started the Liberal Party, a political group. He was a member of this party until 2008.

In January 2009, Lau Wong-fat was asked by Chief Executive Donald Tsang to join the Executive Council of Hong Kong. This council advises the Chief Executive on important decisions. He served there until 2012.

Lau Wong-fat was known for being very busy with his many roles. He was the oldest member in the Legislative Council from 2004 to 2016. In 2015, he was part of a moment when some politicians tried to delay a vote on a government proposal, but their plan did not work out.

Retirement and Family Life

As his health declined, Lau Wong-fat decided not to run for chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk again in May 2015. His son, Kenneth Lau, took over this role. In 2016, he also stepped down from his role as chairman of the Tuen Mun Rural Committee. This meant he was no longer automatically a member of the District Council. His son Kenneth also took over his seat in the Legislative Council.

Lau Wong-fat was married to Ng Mui-chu, and they had five children, including Kenneth Lau. His business was mainly through his company, Wing Tung Yick (Holdings) Ltd. He passed away on July 23, 2017, at the age of 80.

Achievements and Recognition

Lau Wong-fat received many honors and awards for his public service.

• In 1977, a school was named after him: Lau Wong Fat Secondary School in Kowloon.
• He was also an honorary member of the court at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
• In 2012, he received an honorary doctoral degree from the China University of Political Science and Law.

A major road in Tuen Mun New Town, Wong Chu Road, was named after him and his wife, Lau Ng Mui-chu. Also, the first public housing estate in Tuen Mun, Castle Peak Estate, was renamed San Fat Estate after him and Chan Yat-sen, another important leader.

From 2004 to 2015, he represented Hong Kong in performing the traditional Lunar New Year kau cim ceremony, which is a fortune-telling ritual.

He received several important awards:

• In 1973, he was made a Justice of the Peace.
• In 1981, he was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
• In 1989, he received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
• In 1998, he was given the Gold Bauhinia Star (GBS).
• In 2005, he received the Grand Bauhinia Medal, which is Hong Kong's highest honor.

See also

• Small House Policy
• Waiting for Uncle Fat