FIVE Hongkong individuals and families are among the top 101 billionaires in the world, according to the latest rankings published by Fortune magazine.
Tycoon Li Ka-shing headed the local contenders on the list for the third year. The magazine reckoned Mr Li's personal wealth rose 52 per cent to US$5.8 billion (HK$44.84 billion), up from last year's US$3.8 billion.
The property and telecommunications magnate is now the 16th richest man in the world, up from 38th last year.
In Asia, only three individuals and families are wealthier than Mr Li. The Sultan of Brunei and family, who are worth US$37 billion, retains the position as the richest in the world.
Minoru Mori, the Japanese real estate giant, is fourth in world ranking and second richest in Asia, with US$13 billion.
The other Asian ahead of Mr Li is Japanese construction tycoon Toichi Takenaka, with US$7.1 billion.