Mr Cheng, 63, is the Honorary President of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions. Mr Cheng has contributed significantly to labour matters over several decades and has rich experience in labour union work. He was a member of the Commission on Strategic Development, the Consultative Committee on the New Airport and Related Projects, the Labour Advisory Board, the Legislative Council and the Hospital Authority. Currently he is a Hong Kong Deputy to the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China. He is also a member of the Po Leung Kuk Advisory Board, Chairman of the Hong Kong-China Relation Strategic Development Research Fund and Council Member of the Hong Kong Development Forum. He was awarded a Gold Bauhinia Star in 2008.