Tsang small fry in property stakes

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan are humbled by most ministers and non-official executive councillors in terms of property ownership.

The chief executive owns two properties - a flat in Surrey, England, and another in Central, according to the Executive Council members' declaration of interests, which were released yesterday.

The Hong Kong property is owned by Mr Tsang, his wife, Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei, and his two sons under the name of Ace Regent Development Limited. The chief executive is a director of that company.

Mr Hui owns a flat in Wan Chai that is now vacant.

In terms of property ownership, Mr Tsang surpasses only Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip Shu-kwan, Secretary for Civil Service Joseph Wong Wing-ping and Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow Yat Ngok, who each own one property in Hong Kong.

Executive councillor Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee does not own any property.

Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li Kwok-cheung continues to top the league, with 73 properties, including three in Britain.

Mr Tsang's predecessor, Tung Chee-hwa, declared in 2002 that his wife, Betty Tung Chiu Hung-ping, and his family trust owned two flats. Another trust whose beneficiaries are Mr Tung's children also owned two flats in the US.

Mr Tsang is a member of six organisations, and holds the positions of honorary president of the Kow Kong Commercial Association of Hong Kong and the Nasm Hoi Traders' Association Ltd. He is also a voting member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and patron of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund.

Mr Hui and his wife, Teresa Lo Mei-mei, are the directors of Top Quality Enterprises Ltd, which is the sole shareholder of Top Faith Enterprises Ltd.

Neither of the two companies conducts any business activities other than holding a motor vehicle, employing a driver and a secretary, and renting two apartments.

Secretary for Constitutional Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung owns two properties, down from four last year.

Executive councillor Bernard Chan ranked first among Exco members in holding public offices, as he did last year. He is a member of 64 organisations and committees.