York Chow

York Chow Yat-ngok (; born 1947, Hong Kong), GBS, SBS, MBE, is the former Secretary for Food and Health of Hong Kong and a member of the Executive Council. He was appointed as Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food in 2004. The position has since been renamed to Secretary for Food and Health from reshuffling in 2007.

Early life

During his studies in the University of Hong Kong since 1967, he stayed in St. John's College and has served as the male sports captain in the academic years 1968–1969.

Career

Chow is an orthopaedic surgeon by profession. He was appointed Hospital Chief Executive of Queen Mary Hospital in 2001. Chow was appointed a vice-president of the International Paralympic Committee in 1997.

Controversies

2011 June protest On 25 June 2011, a small protest was held by about ten mothers begging on the street for the attention of Chow regarding the mainland Chinese mothers birth tourism issues with hospital capacities. These are families that have a mainland mother and a Hong Kong father. Chow did sympathise with these couples, but nothing was done after the protest. The issue later expanded to the Early 2012 Hong Kong protests which was also triggered by Kong Qingdong's comment.