The Hong Kong Prize is an award for individuals, organizations and communities that are doing the most to advance Hong Kong’s international development efforts and shape its role on the world stage. It is sponsored by Generocity, a non-profit organization that supports social impact.
Hong Kong has nine artists on the shortlist this year, its most-represented city in the history of the prize. The winners will be announced at a ceremony on April 30.
A HKJC employee said they strictly inspect all the materials used for the prize draw, including the boxing and the balls, on a regular basis to ensure the fairness of the result. Moreover, the HKJC also carries out a number of safety measures, such as testing all the equipment and machines used in the draw, ensuring they are safe to use. The ball used for the prize draw is also weighed, measured and examined by X-Ray on a regular basis. X-rays are also conducted on the ball after each draw. The results of the prize draw are verified and approved by a third party to ensure that all rules are followed.
In the past, a Hong Kong prize has been awarded for such projects as an orchestral performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, a complete set of records of Bach’s cello suites and a multi-year project to record a four-movement version of Handel’s Messiah. Other prizes have been awarded for the work of journalists and writers, the preservation of the city’s historic sites and a documentary on the city’s tumultuous protests in the summer of 2019.
Last year, a student at Lam Tai Fai College was rewarded for his achievements in Hong Kong history with a HK$10,000 prize, which is part of an education incentive scheme. Students must combine scholarship with achievements in community service and leadership.
The prize fund for this competition is made up of donations from the public. A total of HK$3 million has been distributed under this incentive scheme since its inception in 1986.
BOCHK Science and Technology Innovation Prize champions the mission of “Boosting Hong Kong, Serving China through Technology”. The prize aims to attract global top scientific researchers to Hong Kong, nurture forward-looking scientists and together build a leading research hub. The highest decision-making body of the Prize is the Board, which consists of a Review Committee and a Compliance Oversight Team. The Board is responsible for reviewing and interpreting the Charter; suggesting important scientific research fields for THE PRIZE; setting requirements of nominating experts; vetting and approving the final review results; and making decisions on the award.
If the winner does not claim their prize within 60 days of the draw, they must forfeit it. Cheung argued that the rule violated Basic Law articles 25 and 38, which state that all residents of Hong Kong are equal before the law and enjoy freedoms guaranteed under the laws of the SAR. However, Court of First Instance judge David Lok Kai-hong ruled that Cheung’s case lacked legal support.