Labour leader fulfils dream of retirement

Mr Pang said he had wanted to retire two years ago.

'People should have known of my intention because my health has not been good for a long time,' he said.

The 75-year-old thought of retirement in 1994 when the Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Union Council held elections.

But the idea was dropped after calls for him to lead the council in the light of his 10 years' experience in the Legislative Council.

His determination to retire has been strengthened by the recent death of his wife.

Mr Pang said he did not belong to any political party when he moved from Shanghai in 1950, a year after the end of the civil war between the communists and the Kuomintang.