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South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Anti-smoking stand of tobacco tycoon lives on in Hong Kong
It is not that unusual for well-known people to become public anti-smoking converts after being diagnosed with diseases related to tobacco use. An example was tycoon Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, who died this week aged 75, months after revealing he had lung cancer. Ho was involved in national and local affairs as a standing committee member of China's top political advisory body, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and as a former owner of Sing Tao News Corporation. But what really set him apart as the anti-smoker he became was that he inherited a tobacco empire from his grandfather, Ho Ying-chie, founder of the Hong Kong Tobacco Company. Indeed, Ho was until late in life a staunch advocate of smokers' rights in the face of incontrovertible evidence of the deadly health risks. He once said 'one has freedom in deciding whether to smoke' and that death was a 'personal matter'. The public switch to anti-smoker and the admission he had changed his mind was not out of character for someone with strong views. Former chief executive and CPPCC vice-chairman Leung Chun-ying can attest to that. Known for his outspoken comments on politics, Ho attacked Leung during the chief executive race in 2012, questioning his ability to govern, which prompted Leung to accuse Sing Tao News Corp of running a smear campaign. But Leung said the pair got along afterwards, with the tycoon being a frequent guest at Government House and a source of interesting insights. The public reconciliation of Ho with anti-smoking health minister Lo Chung-mau, whom he once described as 'like a drone, monitoring the whereabouts of smokers', was more personal. It came after his cancer diagnosis. The pair appeared on television urging viewers to quit smoking. Ho said the strain of chemotherapy and radiotherapy had caused him to change his mind, and he thanked Lo for his campaigns on the issue. Lo said Ho had bravely shared his experience with the public, raising awareness of the dangers of smoking. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu paid tribute to the contributions of Ho to the media, national affairs and the city's development. But it is the anti-smoking message of a tobacco tycoon that may make the biggest difference.
South China Morning Post
29-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong charity aims to bring traditional Chinese medicine to African nation
A charity led by a former Hong Kong leader that offers overseas aid will promote traditional Chinese medicine treatments in the African nation Djibouti this year and plans to expand its operations to at least two more countries, its head has said. GX Foundation CEO Emily Chan Ying-yang said on Thursday that the charity was cooperating with Djibouti's Ministry of Health to introduce traditional Chinese medicines registered in Hong Kong to the country to support local primary health services. The charity, which currently works in eight countries in Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, also expected to expand services such as cataract treatment and dengue fever prevention to two or three more nations this year amid its mission to enhance the well-being of local populations, she said. The belt and road scheme is China's plan to grow global trade. Chan said that the foundation would also focus on bringing more young Hongkongers to join its humanitarian aid services overseas as part of its efforts to step up global exchanges and cooperation. 'Our projects have not only helped local people in need, but also organised young people and retired volunteers from Hong Kong to offer assistance on the ground,' Chan said. The foundation, established in Hong Kong in 2018 and chaired by former chief executive Leung Chun-ying, is a medical humanitarian aid charity. It is one of the few known Hong Kong-based NGOs serving belt and road countries.
