Henry Fok Ying-tung, vice
chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political
Consultative Conference, died in Beijing on Saturday. He was 83.
Fok was an outstanding public figure, renowned patriot, famous businessman,
and close friend of the Communist Party of China, an official obituary said.
The Hong Kong business tycoon served three terms as vice chairman of the
National Committee of the CPPCC, the country's top advisory body. He was also
honorary president of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
Public figures and political parties in Hong Kong yesterday extended their
condolences on the death of Fok.
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Donald Tsang
said he was deeply saddened to learn of Fok's death.
"The passing away of Mr Fok is a sad loss to the country and to Hong Kong,"
the chief executive said. "On behalf of the HKSAR government, I extend my
deepest condolences to Mr Fok's family."
Fok had worked with singular devotion on the opening up of China's economy as
well as for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, Tsang said.
"We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his invaluable contribution to Hong
Kong's return to the motherland," the chief executive said. "He will be dearly
missed by his family and friends."
Patrick Ho, Hong Kong's secretary of home affairs and also member of the
CPPCC's National Committee, said he felt very sad at hearing of Fok's death.
Commenting on Fok's great donation to the development of culture, sports and
education in Hong Kong and China's mainland, Ho said Fok was energetic but kept
a low profile and led a simple life himself. "Fok deserved our great respect,"
Ho said.
Hong Kong's Sunday Morning Post said Fok had been suffering from cancer.
Fok died at Peking Union Medical College Hospital on Saturday evening, the
Post said.
Born in 1923 in Panyu, Guangdong Province, Fok rose from humble roots to
become one of the city's wealthiest and most powerful men.
This year, Forbes magazine ranked him the 181st wealthiest man in the world,
with an estimated net worth of US$3.7 billion. His business empire includes
property, ports, and casinos in Macau.
