CHUI Wing-on

Mr CHUI Wing-on

Honorary University Fellow (2025)

With a highly illustrious career in the legal profession and an esteemed reputation in public service spanning over three decades, Mr Chui Wing-on has established himself as a successful lawyer and a committed contributor to Hong Kong’s education communities. He has not only dedicated to shaping the legal landscape of Hong Kong and the Mainland, but has also left an indelible mark on education development.

Mr Chui’s story is one of resilience, diligence and perseverance. Growing up in a grassroot family, he gradually climbed to the top through hard work, graduating with a Bachelor of Science from The University of Hong Kong before becoming a teacher in a secondary school. He soon found an interest in law and discovered his strengths in analysis and problem-solving — attributes that made him especially suited for a legal career. He subsequently undertook a part-time legal education despite the demands of his full-time job, attending classes and studying after work, and eventually achieving top results in the Common Professional Examination. With a thirst for knowledge and a desire to enhance his professional skills, he also obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the Peking University.

After qualifying to practise law in both Hong Kong as well as England and Wales, Mr Chui has built a career with specialisation in corporate finance, capital markets, and regulatory compliance. He currently serves as a legal consultant at Gallant, a well-established and notable Hong Kong law firm, after serving as a partner for a number of years at Bird & Bird, an international law firm, and at King & Wood Mallesons, one of the top-tier international law firms. Alongside his job, he has served as Chairman of the Appeal Tribunal Panel (Buildings) under the Development Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Professional Services Advisory Committee, and Honorary Legal Adviser for the Belt and Road General Chamber of Commerce, among many other professional groups and associations, sparing no effort in serving the community.

Mr Chui has always been a bridge between Hong Kong and the Mainland, contributing to the evolution of the rule of law and legal systems in both jurisdictions. With a foresight for China’s rapid economic and legal developments, he was among the few pioneering legal practitioners who actively worked on Mainland-related projects well before Hong Kong’s return to the Motherland. His area of focus covers cross-border transactions, assisting Chinese enterprises in listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and facilitating multi-national mergers and acquisitions. He was also involved in advising and acting for overseas investors in China as well as Chinese clients investing abroad. In the sphere of public service, he has been appointed as a China-Appointed Attesting Officer by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China, and from 2017 to 2021, a Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee, Huangpu district, Shanghai. Mr Chui takes great pride in witnessing China’s transformation, in which he has played a part by using his legal expertise to educate local counterparts on the legal side throughout his years of legal practice in the Mainland.

Having spent a long and celebrated career as a lawyer, Mr Chui dedicated himself to social good. Education is a particular area that he finds extremely meaningful. His early experience as a teacher has allowed him to understand the transformative power of learning and the significance it bears on future generations. Not only has he been involved with secondary schools where he serves as an independent council member, he has also served as Member of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Council from 2019 to 2024. His service to HKBU was marked by exemplary leadership, particularly as Chairman of the Audit Committee in 2024, where he oversaw the improvement of risk management framework and internal control systems of the University. As Chairman of the Task Force on Review of the Hong Kong Baptist University Ordinance, he has made recommendations to the Council to promote good governance. He was also a member of the Finance Committee, Honorary Degrees Committee, and the Standing Committee in the HKBU Council.

During his tenure, he was delighted to see the University achieve outstanding milestones such as its successful bid for the operation service deed of Hong Kong’s first Chinese medicine hospital. Looking ahead, Mr Chui envisions HKBU as one of the world’s leading universities that attracts global top talent — a goal that can be reached through the concerted efforts of HKBU’s teaching and research, management and administrative staff. He firmly believes that a university should not serve as a “skill factory”. Instead, it should support young people in their personal growth, helping them achieve their life goals. This aligns with HKBU’s core mission of providing whole-person education to students.

Mr Chui’s life journey has been guided and shaped by his motto: “To persevere with consistency and to quest for excellence”. These words transcend mere notions; they embody a practical guide that has propelled him from his humble beginnings to the pinnacle of professional success. Determined to live a purposeful and meaningful life, he lives by five values inspired by Pastor Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life: integrity, humility, dependability, prioritisation, and generosity. These are not abstract virtues but principles that can be practised daily, and he hopes to share this philosophy with everyone, especially the younger generation.

The University takes great pleasure in conferring an Honorary University Fellowship upon Mr Chui Wing-on, in recognition of his enduring contributions to law, education and society in both Hong Kong and the Mainland. His remarkable journey as a notable legal professional, steadfast commitment to quality governance in education, and inspiring wisdom have uplifted countless individuals, institutions, and communities, leaving a lasting legacy for years to come.