David Tang has taken his first timid step into cyberspace, CitySeen can confirm. For years the owner of Shanghai Tang and the China Club has been receiving and sending correspondence by fax only.

As recently as March, the Post Magazine quoted him as saying that e-mail encourages procrastination when it comes to replying. 'I much prefer faxes, on which we can expect personal scribbles and personality,' he said. 'E-mails have massacred the charming art of sending postcards and letters. No wonder I hate them.'

Yesterday, the Post's books editor, Alister McMillan, received an e-mail with an address bearing Tang's surname and initials. McMillan had faxed Tang to ask for book recommendations as part of a story on the summer reading of Hong Kong notables. McMillan was told by Tang's personal assistant, Patricia Li, that the boss had dictated his reading suggestions over the phone from Bangkok and she had sent the email on his address. 'He's half using e-mail these days,' Ms Li said. 'He will only reply by fax. But he will dictate e-mails.'