bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Harminder Singh

Sandy Li

Fugitive tycoon Joseph Lau Luen-hung appeared at his company’s headquarters with his wife, Chan Hoi-wan, at around lunchtime on Thursday, quashing speculation that the former Chinese Estates Holdings chairman had died.
Lau, 65, was seen arriving by Maybach limousine in Wan Chai, bodyguards in tow and escorted by Chan, now Hong Kong’s richest woman after he transferred HK$11.3 billion worth of assets to her.

Rumours of Lau’s demise began spreading after the property magnate on Wednesday transferred all his shares in the company to Chan and his son, Lau Ming-wai, citing his poor health.
The tycoon, who has been ­suffering from renal failure, heart disease and diabetes, underwent a kidney transplant in November. “Mr Lau returned to the office today,” a Chinese Estates spokeswoman said. Shares of Chinese Estates fell 0.17 per cent to close at HK$11.86 yesterday.

On Wednesday, he announced he had transferred his entire controlling stake in Chinese Estates, worth an estimated HK$16.99 billion, to his wife and son.
Some analysts questioned the motive behind the move.
All his moves, including the announcement of the new marriage and the latest share transfer, were too hasty
analyst
“All his moves, including the announcement of the new marriage and the latest share transfer, were too hasty,” one analyst said. “It’s too high profile ... The possibility can’t be ruled out that the rich man is playing financial tricks and trying to transfer the assets.”
The share transfer needed a waiver from local stock market operator Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, as listing rules ban directors from dealing in shares during the 60 days prior to the ­announcement of a company’s ­results – in this case, on March 9.
But the company in its stock exchange filing cited “Lau’s very unstable health” and a need to ­restructure “during his lifetime”.
Chan is an executive director and Lau Ming-wai is chairman of Chinese Estates.
Joseph Lau has long drawn media attention for his wealth and high-profile romantic relationships with multiple women.
He married Chan, a former ­celebrity journalist and his long-time partner, after announcing in November last year his break-up with then-girlfriend Dr Yvonne Lui Lai-kwan through several full-page newspaper statements.

The businessman became a fugitive from the law after he was convicted by a Macau court for his part in a bribes-for-land scandal involving a business partner and former Macau public works chief Ao Man-long.
Lau was sentenced to five years and three months in jail in absentia, but remains free in Hong Kong because of the lack of arendition agreement between the two cities.
Additional reporting by Laura He


New World pulls back on Causeway Bay acquisition amid uneven recovery

Leslie Cheung’s path to stardom, 10 new K-dramas to watch: 5 Lifestyle highlights

Macau’s culinary festival highlights luxury dining alongside sustainability

Style Edit: Audemars Piguet’s new Royal Oak and Code 11.59 watches, and more

Macau

Fugitive tycoon Joseph Lau turns up to work, quashing rumours of his death

Joseph Lau (centre) underwent a kidney transplant in November and has had other health ailments. Photo: Edward Wong

Chinese Estates Holdings Ltd Joseph Lau Executive Director (L) speaking at the Chinese Estates results p/c. Conrad, Pacific Place. 11 April 2005.

Former Chinese Estates Holdings Chairman and Chief Executive Joseph Lau Luen-hung (Left) arrives at a restaurant in Wan Chai. Real estate developer Chinese Estates Holdings said on Sunday its Chairman and Chief Executive Joseph Lau has resigned after he was found guilty of bribery and money laundering charges in Macau. 17MAR14

(from L) Cecil Wong, Head Corporate & Institutional Banking of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited; Joseph Lau, Chairman & CEO of China Estates Holdings Limited; with Lau Ming-wai, Executive Director of Chinese Estates Holdings Limited; at the Chinese Estates Holdings Limited press conference on HK$ 1600 million loan signing for residential development in Macau. JW Marriott, Pacific Place, Admiralty. 25 January 2007

News

Hong Kong

Business

Former Chinese Estates Holdings chairman appears at company headquarters with wife in Maybach limousine


Fugitive tycoon Joseph Lau turns up to work, quashing rumours of his death

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Former Chinese Estates Holdings chairman appears at company headquarters with wife in Maybach limousine

Former Chinese Estates Holdings chairman appears at company headquarters with wife in Maybach limousine