Messages to the young

When asked if his success could be copied and pasted by today's Hong Kong youth, Wu said it sure can.

"As long as they care to look for opportunities in the Bay Area, and be more tolerant when facing a different culture," he said.

He recalled when Hopewell Holdings invested in building infrastructure on the mainland, some mocked him for building roads on soil where people could not afford bicycles. Now, Wu stands 41st of Hong Kong's 50 richest persons in 2020, according to Forbes.

"There is a population of 1.4 billion behind the Bay Area. That is a vast market that generates capital and is in great need of talent. And most importantly, it is much easier to reach your own country than foreign ones," Wu said.

Another message Wu wants to convey to the young: Learn Chinese history, especially what has taken place since the mainland introduced reform and opening-up.

"The history of modern the mainland will help Hong Kong youth to learn how the country shapes its economy and how that promises a bright economic prospect," Wu said, adding that he believes more youth will be willing to build their future in the Bay Area.

Chinese history is an independent compulsory subject in Hong Kong's junior high schools, with a newly revised curriculum, which was applied in 2019, that includes a focus on the establishment of the People's Republic of China and the reform and opening-up that started in 1978 .

But the subject is elective in senior high schools. Data from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority shows that from 2011 to 2016, the number of senior students taking Chinese history for their Diploma of Secondary Education exams declined by 70 percent.

"Consider the past, and you shall know the future. I really hope more Hong Kong young people take a look at contemporary Chinese history," Wu said.

In a corner of Wu's office stands a desk for sketching architectural drawings. On it are some new sketches, pencils and T-square rulers. At the age of 84, Wu arrives at the office around 9 am every work day. He said he has no specific time for real retirement.