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SCMP Reporter

Hopewell Holdings chairman Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung must have the shiniest shoes in Hong Kong.

The property developer yesterday held an extraordinary general meeting to seek approval for the spin-off of its toll-road unit, Hopewell Highway Infrastructure.

Sir Gordon was asked why he was also going to be chairman of Highway Infrastructure.  Could he not pass that  mantle over to one of his more than capable offspring, such as his curiously named son Thomas Jefferson Wu?

Quick as a flash, the junior Wu grabbed the microphone and confessed: 'I don't think any one is more qualified for this job [than my father].'

Sir Gordon smiled kindly as he took the microphone back and revealed why his son may not have enough time  for the top job.

'He's just polishing my shoes.'

weighty question

At the same meeting, Sir Gordon  revealed diplomatic skills worthy of a businessman of his stature and reputation.

On spying a female reporter with whom he has had a long-standing professional relationship, Sir Gordon enquired: 'How come you've gained so much weight?'

learning the hard way

The first rule of PR: Never work with children or animals.

The second rule of PR: Never work with free-thinking university professors.

Merrill Lynch executives may not have been aware of the second rule before inviting Larry Lang, chair professor of finance at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, to speak at yesterday's China H-share conference. The respected Mr Lang first questioned the investment bank's policy of not allowing photographers into the event.

He warned Merrill staff that if the press weren't allowed to take photographs of him, he would leave. They relented.

Prior to taking the stage, Mr Lang smiled and confided to those around him: 'I'm here to criticise Merrill Lynch.'

Bank executives smiled. Mr Lang then proceeded to tell the assembled throng how China's H shares, and in particular the petrochemical companies, were guilty of engaging in transactions that were damaging to the interests of minority shareholders.

Bank executives, perhaps remembering that Merrill had sponsored CNOOC's listing and subsequent bond sales, smiled nervously. He went on to say they had been aided and abetted in their activities by the underwriters.

Bank executives searched for the exit.

Explaining the professor's comments afterwards, a Merrill spokesman said that what happened should not be seen as 'shooting oneself in the foot'.

He said the bank had invited controversial speakers in the past.

We can't wait for the former Iraqi information minister to speak at Merrill's next event.

that's entertainment

The eagerness to cancel concerts by top name musicians during the Sars outbreak has been matched only by the government's enthusiasm to invite them all back for the post epidemic knees-up.

If press reports are to be believed, and if all the invitations are accepted, Hong Kong could very well end up providing Asia's answer to Woodstock. And with the government picking up the tab for the Rolling Stones and their road crew, Carlos Santana and his guitar plus Andy Williams and his sun-bed, some local companies are beginning to smell a  marketing opportunity.

Think about it, Santana crooning Everything's Coming Our Way as majority shareholders announce yet another dividend windfall, or  corporate governance advocate David Webb getting the Rolling Stones to sing I Can't Get No Satisfaction at an HSBC AGM.

A source at CLSA have told us that the investment house is looking to secure itself a top act for its annual investors forum, scheduled for mid-September.

Asked our source: 'Why spend all that money yourself getting someone in if the government is going to pay?'

Why indeed?

positive thinking

It is going to take a lot more than 18 years in jail for graft to dampen the political aspirations of a former multi-millionaire Dutch flower salesman.

According to the Hong Kong Daily News, Yang Bin's parting shot as his sentence was handed down shows the disgraced tycoon may already be a little stir crazy.

'[Former] South African president Nelson Mandela was in jail for 27 years and he came out and became president,' pondered Mr Yang.

'I've only got 18 years and I'll still be 58 and that's still young enough to become president.'

Got a question for Lai See? laisee@scmp.com Tel: 2250 3231 Fax: 2565 1624



Hopewell's shiny shoes fit only one Wu