Mr Joseph Yam Chi Kwong has served as Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority since its establishment in April 1993.
Mr Yam received his Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, majoring in Economics and Statistics, from HKU in 1970. He started his civil service career in Hong Kong as a Statistician in 1971, and became an Economist in 1976. His involvement in monetary affairs in Hong Kong started when he was appointed as Principal Assistant Secretary for Monetary Affairs in 1982. Mr Yam helped put together Hong Kong's Linked Exchange Rate system in 1983. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Secretary for Monetary Affairs in 1985 and Director of the Office of the Exchange Fund in 1991.
In 1995, Mr Yam was honoured with the Banker of the Year Award in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers. Euromoney also named him Central Banker of the Year in Asia in 1996 and Central Banker of the Year in 1997. In 1998, Mr Yam was awarded Central Bank Governor of the Year in Asia by Euromoney for his role in piloting Hong Kong through the Asian currency turmoil. He was appointed a Justice of Peace in 1985 and was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 2001.
In recognition of his contributions to the financial sector of Hong Kong, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa.
