Three people are to receive the SAR's highest award while Olympic gold medallist Vivian Kong, along with members of a government team that took part in search and rescue efforts in quake-hit Myanmar and two people who helped to save lives in a deadly fire in Jordan in April last year, have also made it to the 2025 honours list.

The founder of the local newspaper Hong Kong Economic Times, Lawrence Fung; businessman Charles Yeung; and former Hospital Authority chairman John Leong will receive the Grand Bauhinia Medal.

Fung was hailed for his contributions to the media industry, as well as economic and education development.

Yeung was praised for promoting economic collaboration between Hong Kong and the mainland and providing valuable experience for local enterprises to expand across the border.

Leong was honoured for spending more than 50 years in medical teaching, academic research and public services.

Twenty others will receive the Gold Bauhinia Star award, including justice secretary Paul Lam, executive councillor Lam Ching-choi, former police chief Raymond Siu and two High Court judges Anthea Pang and Maggie Poon.

Kong, the Hong Kong, China fencer who won gold in individual épée at the 2024 Paris Olympics; lawmakers Peter Koon, Jimmy Ng and Tony Tse; and John Chai, director of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park and chairman of Chinese University Council, are among the 29 recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star award.

Forty-six others made the Bronze Bauhinia Star list.

In all, nine people were honoured for their contributions to safeguarding national security.

"In the situation facing targeted malicious attacks from external forces, they have remained fearlessly committed to duty and displayed an extraordinary level of determination in discharging their duties, and actively participated in work related to the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They deserve the honours as recognition of their significant contributions," Chief Executive John Lee said in a statement.

Meanwhile, members of the 51-strong search and rescue team sent to Myanmar following a devastating magnitude 7.7 earthquake earlier this year will be awarded the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government/Public Service or the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service.

And two people are to be awarded the Medal for Bravery for their heroic acts during the New Lucky House fire in Jordan that killed five people and injured dozens.

According to a government statement, Man Suet-leung worked with some construction workers to rescue more than 10 people trapped at height, before saving five more inside the building without wearing any protective gear and mask.

Kenneth Chau saved more than 10 people stuck at height using a ladder and helped prevent the fire from spreading, the statement added.

A total of 427 awards are to be handed out.

An awards presentation ceremony will be held later this year.