Former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa to lead tycoons on visit to Beijing
Discussions with Xi Jinping and Zhang Dejiang expected to cement support for NPC's decision on model for 2017 election of city's leader
Former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa will lead Hong Kong tycoons and business elites to meet state leaders in Beijing as the central government garners support for its controversial decision on political reform.
In a high-profile pledge to support Beijing's tough framework on the city's first popular vote for its leader in 2017, Tung confirmed the visit to Beijing later this month.
He declined to provide more details yesterday at his first press conference since he quit the top job in 2005.
"Yes, there will be a visit to Beijing. But the details have yet to be finalised and I will provide more information when it's available," said Tung, who is now a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top advisory body.
A source familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said tycoons - including Cheung Kong chairman Li Ka-shing, New World Development chairman Henry Cheng Kar-shun, Henderson Land Development chairman Lee Shau-kee and Ian Fok Chun-wan, son of late tycoon Henry Fok Ying-tung - had been invited to meet President Xi Jinping and the chairman of the National People's Congress, Zhang Dejiang .
A spokesman for Gordon Wu Ying-sheung, chairman of Hopewell Holdings, said Wu had been invited to visit Beijing between September 21 and 22, while Stanley Lau Chin-ho, the chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, has also been invited.
The National People's Congress Standing Committee laid down a tougher-than-expected framework for the city to choose its chief executive by universal suffrage.