Li Ka-shing backed for top CPPCC role

A senior vice-chairman of China's main advisory body yesterday gave his support for tycoon Li Ka-shing to join the ranks of vice-chairmen at the next session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Ye Xuanping said in Beijing: 'It's not a question that I can decide on my own. If you ask my personal view, I support him.'

Mr Ye was speaking on the eve of the closing session of the plenum, the last before the CPPCC reconvenes and elects new office-bearers next year. The committee has 30 vice-chairmen.

In the past two years some cadres have suggested Mr Li be given the seat vacated by the death of Ann Tse-kai, 88, in June 2000. Following Ann's death, tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung became the only Hong Kong member to hold a vice-chairman post, which holds the same rank as vice-premier under Chinese law.

Mr Fok said yesterday he believed many people would support the decision.

Businessman Eddy Lee Sau-hang, also a CPPCC member, said it would be an honour for Hong Kong people if another local representative held the position.