Former Heung Yee Kuk chair Benton Cheung passes away at 103

Benton Cheung Yan-lung, former chairman of New Territories Heung Yee Kuk has passed away at the age of 103. 

Cheung passed away two days ago, Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, current chairman of Heung Yee Kuk announced the news in a meeting this afternoon. 

Cheung was the chairman of Heung Yee Kuk from 1964 to 1966. After he finished his term of office, he was elected as vice-chairman from 1974 to 1978. He was also a member of the North District Council from 1981 to 1994.

Before the handover of Hong Kong in 1997, he was a lawmaker and chairman of the now-defunct Regional Council.

In the 80s, Cheung actively voiced for the public on the future of Hong Kong, asking the British government to grant Hongkongers residentship and urged the Hong Kong government to push forward the city's democratic reformation.

Lung Sum Avenue in Sheung Shui is also named after him and another elder Liu Yun-sum for their contribution to the area.