Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (September 24) will be cancelled.
     

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (September 23) mourned the passing of Professor Charles Kao, a Nobel laureate in physics, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the "Father of Fibre Optics". 

     Mr Chan said, "Professor Kao was a prominent icon in innovation and technology as well as the academic field in Hong Kong. I respected him very much. His enthusiasm and focus on innovation and research, his attitude towards pursuing excellence and his pioneering research and development and applied research which led the optical fibre technology were key factors for the development of the Internet. These helped to rewrite the methods of communication for human beings. 

     "Professor Kao was also enthusiastic towards and contributed a lot to the development of education in Hong Kong. During his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, he spared no effort in exploring resources and promoting whole-person education for CUHK, which consolidated the foundation for the long-term development of the university." 

     Mr Chan added, "Though suffering from Alzheimer's disease in his twilight years, Professor Kao and his family still strived to increase public care and awareness for the patients of Alzheimer's disease. He contributed a lot to society. I would like to show my respect to Professor Kao and offer my deepest condolences to Professor Kao's family."

     The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (September 23) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Nobel laureate for Physics, the former Vice-Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the "Father of Fibre Optics", Professor Charles Kao. He extended his deepest condolences to Mrs Kao and his family.

     "Professor Kao was the light of Hong Kong, the pride of Hong Kong people and an icon of our generation. He was a pioneer in the development and use of fibre optics for the advancement of modern telecommunication and also played a key role in promoting education and research. His contribution was pivotal to the setting up of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park. He also set up the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimers disease with his wife, Mrs Gwen Kao, to provide support to Alzheimers disease patients. Over the years, I had worked closely with him in my various capacities as Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, Director of Education, Secretary for Labour and Welfare and Chief Secretary for Administration. I am gravely saddened by his passing," he said.

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, was saddened today (September 23) to learn of the passing of Professor Charles Kao, Founder of the Charles K Kao Foundation, and expressed her profound sadness.

     Professor Chan said, "Since its establishment in 2010, the Charles K Kao Foundation has spared no efforts in enhancing public awareness on Alzheimer's disease, with a view to reducing stigmatisation towards patients, benefitting many patients and their carers."

     "The passing of Professor Kao is indeed the loss of Hong Kong people. On behalf of all of us at the Food and Health Bureau, I offer my deepest condolence to his family.  We strive to continue Professor Kao's work in building a dementia-friendly society in Hong Kong."

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (September 23) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Professor Charles Kao and extended his deepest condolences to Professor Kao's family.

     "A Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Kao was acclaimed as the 'father of fibre optic communications'. He participated in the founding of the Department of Electronics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) in the early years, and was soon appointed the Head of department and the Chair in Electronics. He also became the Vice-Chancellor of CUHK from 1987 to 1996. Professor Kao devoted himself to the pursuit of scientific research breakthroughs. In addition to being highly respected in the higher education sector, he also made significant contributions to the development of science and technology in the whole world," Mr Yeung said.

     He believed that the education sector would never forget Professor Kao’s significant contributions to technological research and higher education development.