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Ben Kwok

Corporate chiefs prepare for contest on bridge

At first glance, it looks rather like a corporate governance seminar lineup,  with Securities and Futures Commission  chief executive Martin Wheatley,  China Resources (Holdings)  chairman Song Lin,   former PCCW deputy chairman Francis Yuen Tin-fan  and other heavyweights.

But these gentlemen will gather next Monday evening for  a celebrity bridge tournament ahead of the JP Morgan Intercity Bridge Championships this year.

Also  joining  the  event  are  Quam chairman Bernard Pouliot,  Ryoden Development chairman Herman Hu Shao-ming,  PYI Corp chairman Joseph Chow Ming-kuen,  Wai Kee Holdings chairman William Zen Weipao,  Hong Kong Economic Times chairman Lawrence Fung Siu-por,  along with  well-known bridge hand AIG senior vice-chairman  Edmund Tse Sze-wing and Geely Automobile  chief executive Gui Shengyue.

Other interesting characters  joining the game include Taiwan cartoonist Tsai Chih-chung  (way to go, Ming!) and  the mainland's top  go  (weiqi) player Nie Weiping.

Former CSL chief executive Hubert Ng Ching-wah  told Lai See that he has been unable to find time for bridge for his entire career, but seldom misses the daily bridge column in the South China Morning Post.

Even TSMC chairman Morris Chang Chung-mou  will  be in town for the five-day tournament, contesting against Mr Tse  and his teammate Derek Zen Wei-peu for the title of best bridge team in Asia.

Bridge over troubled waters

Still with bridge, Lai See spotted bridge-builder Hopewell Holdings's 35th anniversary advertisement from Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung's (below) many business partners, including Shun Tak Holdings (which proposed to buy out their Macau property joint venture) and Sun Hung Kai Properties (which backed Sir Gordon's dream to build a Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai bridge).

Even Cheung Kong (Holdings) and its three blue-chip associates were reconciling after a heated debate between Sir Gordon and Hutchison Whampoa group managing director Canning Fok Kin-ning  as to whether Hong Kong needs a three-way bridge that might affect his cargo duopoly.

But  one name appeared twice - Melco, and its subsidiary Melco-PBL Entertainment.

It's not easy to see the obvious business link between a construction and property company and a Macau casino operator.

The answer lies in ice hockey. Hopewell managing director Thomas Jefferson Wu and Melco chief executive Lawrence Ho Yau-lung often play against each other on  Sunday nights, competing for the league title.

Reaping dividends

Still with Hopewell, it is paying out 35 HK cents  on its 35th anniversary as a special dividend to shareholders.

The company paid out 30 HK cents as a special on its 30th anniversary, as well as on its 32nd (2004) and 33rd (2005) anniversaries, so shareholders have something to look forward to.

Sibling rivalry

More kids means more fun, but also more problems.

That may explain why the central government took four years to  consider - but has yet to  figure out  - the best way to give 3G mobile-telephone licences to the four incumbent  operators.

China Netcom chairman Zhang Chunjiang  compared the government to the parent of four children because it owns 75 per cent each in China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom and his company.

'I am sure the father would hope to see all four of his  sons grow up well - not just one of them very well,' said Mr  Zhang, hinting that the 3G licensing may break China Mobile's  market dominance.

Mr  Zhang said he would welcome any proposals, with hopes that they would be beneficial to China Netcom. 'You know, sometimes children can also make appeals to their parents.'

Another  Shaolin

Everything that glitters can be sold. What about  the mainland's Buddhism landmark, Shaolin Monastery?

'No way!' according to the head monk,  in response to a flood of media enquiries on whether  the monastery may be in line  to list on the Hong Kong stock market.

What is more likely to happen is that  Henan-based travel group Songshan Shaolin has filed for listing.

The assets to be incorporated would include a cable car, a theatre, a hotel,  tour buses and other culture-related businesses. But it will not include the Shaolin temple, monks,  or the centre's unique kung fu skills.



Lai See