Henry Tang Ying-yen rejects the idea that property tycoons unfairly dominate Hong Kong.
On the contrary, the chief secretary thinks Hong Kong's most successful people should be held as inspirations.
Instead of complaining about the wealth and power of the city's richest man, Tang says, young people should ask themselves: 'Why can't I become the next Li Ka-shing?'
Tang's remark was made in response to growing discontent with developers among people unable to afford their own homes because of surging prices. For them, 'end property hegemony' has become a catch phrase. Hundreds of people marched last Sunday to protest about the issue. Asked if he thought such hegemony existed, Tang said: 'No.'
'I would not use the word 'hegemony'. I would only say Hong Kong offers free and open opportunities for people to create their universe and realise their dreams,' he said. 'Hong Kong is a fair and open society. It is full of opportunities for those who are prepared to capture them.'
Tang said the developers started small and deserved the rewards of their efforts. 'Li Ka-shing, Lee Shau-kee, Kwok Tak-seng - all came from very humble beginnings,' he said in reference to the founders of the Cheung Kong, Henderson and Sun Hung Kai property empires.