The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has conferred Honorary University Fellowships upon six distinguished individuals, including former Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) Chief Executive Charles Li. The conferment ceremony was held at Loke Yew Hall, the University's Main Building, to recognize their significant contributions to the University and society. To date, HKU has awarded this honor to 179 outstanding persons.

Charles Li is the founder and chairman of MicroConnect and the chairman of MicroConnect (Macao) Financial Assets Exchange. He served as the Group Chief Executive of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) from 2010 to 2020. During his tenure, he led several landmark strategic initiatives. These included the acquisition of the London Metal Exchange in 2012, the launch of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program in 2014, which was later extended to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect in 2016, the launch of Bond Connect in 2017, and the implementation of listing reforms in 2018.

The other five recipients are former Dean of HKU's Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine Professor Lee Sum Ping, educator Ms. Man Yick Fan, Managing Director of P & W Engineering Co., Ltd. Mr. Poon Wai Yin, and founder of the Yu Chong Kwong and Yu Lai Mee Chan Medical Development Fund Mrs. Yu Lai Mee Chan. The conferment for Mr. Chan Wai Man, Managing Director of the Shaw Group, who was unable to attend the 2023 ceremony, was postponed until this year.