Chief Executive John Lee today expressed sorrow over the passing of entrepreneur Lee Shau-kee.     

He said Lee Shau-kee was an outstanding business leader and entrepreneur who had made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s economic development, as well as the city’s prosperity and stability.

The Chief Executive also emphasised that the entrepreneur was a highly respected philanthropist.

“He had made outstanding contributions to education and community service in the past decades, including his generous donations to a number of universities and tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and the Mainland, and his ardent support for the development of higher education and talent development.

“He had established the Lee Shau Kee Foundation and the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation, which promote education, with special concern on the development of education and research in Chinese communities. He was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2007.

“I express sorrow over the passing of Dr Lee and extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak also expressed sadness over Mr Lee’s passing.

Ms Linn said Mr Lee was an outstanding entrepreneur who had led Henderson Land Group in making significant contributions to Hong Kong's land and housing development.

She added that besides his remarkable achievements in business, Mr Lee was committed to promoting corporate social responsibility and actively engaged in philanthropic endeavours.

Ms Ho said: "We are grateful to Henderson Land Development for actively supporting the Government's transitional housing programme by providing land and short-term vacant units in urban areas and the New Territories, helping to alleviate the housing pressures faced by those living in poor conditions and those with urgent housing needs."

Ms Choi stressed that Mr Lee’s donations to various tertiary institutions, secondary schools and primary schools, in Hong Kong and Mainland China, for campus expansion, improvements to facilities, and the establishment of various scholarship,s have benefited numerous students.

Miss Mak highlighted, meanwhile, that Mr Lee had spared no effort in youth development. In particular, the Lee Shau Kee Foundation supported the Government's Youth Hostel Scheme, including through a donation of land in Yuen Long to the Po Leung Kuk.

The Po Leung Kuk Lee Shau Kee Youth Oasis is currently the largest project under the Youth Hostel Scheme, and its construction was fully funded by the Government.

(The source: news.gov.hk)