Gregory So, Former Hong Kong Commerce Chief, Dies at 67 After Years of Public Service

Gregory So Kam-leung, the former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development who shaped Hong Kong’s economic landscape for nearly a decade, died on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at age 67 following ill health. His passing sent ripples through the city’s political and business circles, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu issuing an immediate statement of profound sorrow, calling So a "steadfast servant" whose work helped anchor Hong Kong’s global economic standing.

A Legacy Built on Trade and Technology

So’s career in public service began in 2008 as Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development. He rose to lead the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau in 2011, holding the post until June 2017. During those nine years, he didn’t just manage policy—he redefined it. Under his watch, Hong Kong deepened trade ties with Southeast Asia, expanded its tourism infrastructure ahead of the 2016 World Travel Market, and pushed through landmark digital transformation initiatives in telecommunications. He was instrumental in launching the Creative Industries Development Fund, which pumped $230 million into local film, design, and gaming startups.

"He understood that Hong Kong’s future wasn’t just about ports and banking," said Algernon Yau Ying-wah, the current Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, in a statement released the same day as So’s death. "He saw the potential in coders and creatives long before it became fashionable."

More Than a Cabinet Minister

So’s influence stretched far beyond the Commerce Bureau. He served on the Hospital Authority’s governing council, advised the Education Bureau on vocational training reforms, and chaired the Kwun Tong District Council’s economic development committee. These roles weren’t ceremonial. Colleagues recall him showing up unannounced at public housing estates to hear from small business owners, or sitting through late-night hearings on telecom spectrum allocation.

In 2012, he was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star—Hong Kong’s second-highest honor—for his "distinguished and dedicated service." The citation didn’t mention his name once in the official release. That was So: quiet, consistent, never seeking the spotlight.

The Quiet Architect of Modern Hong Kong’s Economy

What made So stand out wasn’t just his policy wins—it was how he built consensus. In a city often divided by politics, he was one of the few officials trusted by both business leaders and community activists. He brokered a fragile but lasting agreement between the Hong Kong Tourism Board and local street vendors in 2014, allowing pop-up stalls during major festivals without compromising public safety. That compromise became a model later adopted in Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay.

His work in information technology was equally transformative. He pushed for the rollout of 5G infrastructure years before most cities had a roadmap, and he personally lobbied the Chinese central government to include Hong Kong in the Greater Bay Area’s digital connectivity plan. Without his advocacy, analysts say, the city might have fallen behind Shenzhen and Guangzhou in tech innovation.

Reactions Across the City

News of his death spread quickly. RTHK confirmed the timing and cause—"following ill health"—without speculation. TVB News aired a brief tribute, while the Bastille Post published a detailed career timeline. All sources, from official channels to independent outlets, agreed on the same facts: death on December 13, 2025; age 67; nine years as SCED.

Even opposition figures offered quiet respect. Former Legislative Council member Lillian Fung remarked, "He never played politics. He played the long game for Hong Kong."

What Comes Next?

So’s death leaves a void in a government still grappling with economic stagnation and youth emigration. His successors now face the same challenges he once tackled: diversifying beyond finance, attracting talent, and competing with regional rivals. But without his ability to bridge sectors and silences, progress may come slower.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services has confirmed that a formal memorial will be held in January, though details remain private. No public funeral was announced, consistent with So’s preference for discretion.

Remembering a Man Who Worked Behind the Scenes

Gregory So never gave TED Talks. He didn’t write op-eds. He didn’t tweet. But if you’ve walked through a modernized Hong Kong port, used a faster broadband network, or attended a local tech startup pitch night—you’ve felt his legacy.

He was the kind of public servant who showed up early, stayed late, and never took credit. That’s rare. And that’s why his passing feels like the end of an era.