the earliest defenders of the Hong Kong government; for instance in a 2004 interview with the South China Morning Post, he urged Hong Kong's Buddhists to be content with the government and not to attend protests. Kok Kwong also attracted criticism for his close association with billionaire Li Ka-shing and the building of Tsz Shan Monastery, which was sponsored mostly by the Li family. In 2013, Kok Kwong was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal for his many years of public service. Death In 2014, after a long illness, Kok Kwong died at 4:51am at the age of 95. Several government officials expressed condolences upon hearing news of his death. References 1919 births 2014 deaths Hong Kong Buddhist monks Tiantai Buddhists Recipients of the Grand Bauhinia Medal Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee members Hong Kong Affairs Advisors Members of the Selection Committee of Hong Kong People from Haicheng, Liaoning Hong Kong Buddhist Association