Andy Lau Named Justice of the Peace

Andy Lau films an advertisement for China's product quality regulator. [Photo: sina.com]

The government of Hong Kong Special Administration Region published on Tuesday this year's 79 appointments of Justices of the Peace (JPs), among which veteran entertainer Andy Lau was listed as a non-official JP.

Andy Lau said via his publicist that he had sworn in earlier, and "thought it was a great honor," the Shanghai-based Oriental Morning Post reported.

In his 30-year showbiz career, Andy Lau has been noted for his active involvement in charity work.

The singer-actor became the second JP in Hong Kong's showbiz circle, the first being actor Michael Hui who was named so in 2004.

In Hong Kong, Justices of the Peace are essentially ceremonial titles given by the Government to social elites, and to certain officials while in office. According to local regulations, the main function of JPs is to visit prisons, detention centers and other institutions to ensure effective management and to make sure no individual is unfairly treated or deprived of his or her rights.