Stage set for long haul as Hong Kong digs deep to put on a model display

Our sartorially splendid Financial Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen has been hard at work helping to put together Hong Kong's first official mission to South America scheduled for later this month.

While we were fascinated by the exotic itinerary of the trip - with visits to Brazil, Chile and Argentina on the agenda - what was even more interesting was the line-up of corporate leaders who will accompany Dapper Donald.

Two of the business bosses included in the line-up for the trip appeared particularly intriguing: Hang Seng Bank chairman David Eldon and Alexander Au Siu-kee, who until recently was the bank's chief executive but has now joined rival Standard Chartered Bank.

If you recall, there was plenty of speculation about the reasons for Mr Au's departure from Hang Seng in March. Much of it centred on one David Eldon - who was appointed to the chairmanship of Hang Seng over Mr Au during a management reshuffle in October.

Word had it that Mr Au's annoyance at being passed over for the bank's top job was one of the key reasons for his sudden departure to Standard Chartered.

There has been no confirmation on how much Mr Au and Mr Eldon will be physically travelling together - but we wonder if there's a Business Class aircraft cabin in South America big enough for the two of them.