Hong Kong has named 466 individuals in its 2026 Honours List, with a fallen firefighter and a veteran economist among the most prominent recipients. The roll, announced on Wednesday, spans public service, emergency response, finance, healthcare and sport, and includes three Grand Bauhinia Medals, the city’s highest accolade, alongside a posthumous Medal for Bravery (Gold) for Senior Fireman Ho Wai-ho.

Ho was killed in last November’s Wang Fuk Court blaze in Tai Po, described by officials as Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades. The blaze claimed 168 lives and displaced around 5,000 residents. Ho, one of the first rescuers to arrive, continued search and rescue operations despite extreme heat and a fierce fire, actions the government said demonstrated “gallantry of the highest order”. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Ho “displayed unwavering dedication, utmost bravery and selfless devotion to the public,” adding that he “risked his life to save others” in the course of his duty.

At the apex of the civil honours, the Grand Bauhinia Medal was conferred on economist Prof Lawrence Lau Juen-yee, former lawmaker and Executive Council member Chan Kin-por, and Lam Kwong-siu, an adviser to Bank of China International Holdings. Authorities highlighted Lau’s academic record and what they described as his pivotal role in strengthening Hong Kong’s competitive edge in financial services. In addition, eight people received the Gold Bauhinia Star, including former Permanent Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury (Financial Services) Salina Yan and Hospital Authority Chairman Henry Fan, while 19 were awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star and 40 the Bronze Bauhinia Star.

The honours list also recognised contributions beyond government and finance. Fencer Ryan Choi Chun-yin and cyclist Lee Sze-wing were named for their performances at last year’s National Games, reflecting the administration’s emphasis on sporting achievement. Six police officers received the Medal for Bravery (Bronze) for confronting explosions and rescuing five people from a vessel in Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter during Typhoon Wipha in July last year. Lee expressed his gratitude to all awardees for what he called their significant contributions to Hong Kong and said he hoped they would continue to serve the community. The awards presentation ceremony will take place later this year, and the Chief Executive has also appointed 65 people as Justices of the Peace.

Pemerintah memperluas upaya perlindungan anak di ruang digital dengan menggandeng ratusan guru melalui Forum Sahabat Tunas yang digelar di Denpasar, Bali. Kementerian Komunikasi dan Digital (Komdigi) menempatkan tenaga pendidik sebagai mitra strategis untuk membangun ekosistem digital yang lebih aman dan sehat bagi generasi muda, di tengah lonjakan penggunaan gawai dan internet di kalangan anak.

Menteri Komunikasi dan Digital Meutya Hafid mengingatkan bahwa setidaknya ada tujuh risiko utama yang mengintai anak di ruang digital: kecanduan internet, kontak dengan orang asing, paparan konten tidak sesuai usia, eksploitasi komersial, kebocoran data pribadi, gangguan psikologis, dan gangguan fisik. Ia menyoroti kecanduan digital sebagai salah satu risiko terbesar karena dapat mengganggu fokus belajar dan memengaruhi perilaku anak, sementara fitur komunikasi dengan orang tak dikenal berpotensi memicu perundungan, penipuan, hingga radikalisasi.

Direktur Jenderal Komunikasi Publik dan Media Komdigi, Fifi Aleyda Yahya, menekankan bahwa peran guru kini tidak lagi sebatas mengajarkan mata pelajaran seperti matematika, geografi, dan sains. Guru juga dituntut membekali murid dengan kemampuan menghadapi tantangan era digital, termasuk memahami ancaman penipuan daring, paparan kekerasan dan pornografi, serta pentingnya menjaga data pribadi. Ia menegaskan perlindungan anak tak hanya menyangkut aspek fisik, tetapi juga pikiran dan data mereka di dunia maya.

Forum Sahabat Tunas diikuti sekitar 250 guru secara langsung dan sekitar 500 peserta secara daring, dengan menghadirkan beragam narasumber, mulai dari psikolog yang membahas tumbuh kembang anak hingga pemateri yang mengupas ancaman penipuan digital dan literasi keuangan sejak dini. Melalui forum ini, pemerintah berharap guru memperoleh perspektif dan strategi baru untuk pendampingan aktif terhadap anak, sekaligus memperkuat komunikasi dengan orang tua dan masyarakat luas, sehingga upaya melindungi anak dari tujuh risiko digital dapat berjalan lebih komprehensif.