Charles Ho

The Honourable
Charles Ho Tsu-kwok
GBM
何柱國
Chairman of Sing Tao News Corporation Limited
Assumed office
2001
Preceded by Office established
Personal details
Born (1949-06-23) 23 June 1949
Hong Kong
Nationality Hong Kong Chinese
Residence Hong Kong
Charles Ho
Traditional Chinese 何柱國
Simplified Chinese 何柱国

Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, GBM[1] (Chinese: 何柱國, born 23 June 1949)[2] is a Hong Kong pro-Beijing[3] businessman who is the chairman of the Sing Tao News Corporation Limited[4][1] and an independent non-executive director of Shun Tak Holdings. As a member of the pro-Beijing camp, Ho maintained good relations with the Chinese government, and is appointed as a National Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference representing Fujian,[5] serving in that post since 1998.[2][4] Ho is awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system by Chief Executive CY Leung on July 1 2014,[6] although the decision to award Ho with such an award sparked discontent and astonishment in the Hong Kong media.[7]

Early Life

Ho was born in Hong Kong with family roots in Fujian.[8] He was the grandson of Ho Ying Chie (1911-2000), the founder and owner of the Hong Kong Tobacco Cooperation Limited[9] and thus is a cousin of David Ho, a Vancouver based entrepreneur. Ho founded the Sing Tao Newspaper Group Limited in 2001.[4]

Awards

Questioning CY Leung's ability to rule

On 9 December 2011, Ho, an outspoken supporter of Chief Executive Election candidate Henry Tang,[10] publicly challenged Tang's opponent CY Leung in a press conference, questioning his ability to handle the top job in Hong Kong.[11] Ho noted that one of Leung's companies, DTZ Holdings, has the values of its shares decreased to zero and declared bankruptcy, and thus fearing that "Hong Kong's economy would become zero because of Leung's wrong decisions.[11]

However, in an interview on 30 August 2014, Ho withdrew his accusation towards CY Leung by praising Leung's efforts in improving people's livelihood, saying that Leung's decisions "hasn't made Hong Kong's economy become zero yet".[12]

Controversy

Awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal

On July 1 2014, Ho was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal, the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system by Chief Executive CY Leung for his "distinguished service to the community, particularly his contribution to the media industry."[13] The decision to award Ho the highest honor sparked dismay among some Hong Kong media. Ho is originally considered a stauch supporter Henry Tang, CY Leung's major opponent in the 2012 Chief Executive Election. However, he switched sides and praised Leung as a competent leader immediately after he was elected, and has since then been a staunch supporter of CY Leung's government.[10] Some media expressed opinions that Ho does not deserve the award, as they believe only "true heroes" should be honored instead of a "Yes man" like Ho.[7]

Objections to "Civil Nomination"

In an interview on 30 August 2014, Ho commented on the Civil nomination proposal demanded by members of the pro-democracy camp for the 2017 Hong Kong Chief Executive election, saying that there is no such thing as a "civil nomination" in any political system worldwide, and that he feared that the adoption of a "civil nomination" for Chief Executive may ultimately result in a member of the triad society (Chinese: 黑社會) nominated for the post.[14][15]

References

  1. 1 2 Siu, Jasmine (2 July 2014). "Top award for Sing Tao chief". Hong Kong: The Standard. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 简历：全国政协委员何柱国(特邀香港人士) (in Chinese). Sohu.com. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 17 August 2014. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  3. ↑ "People's champion or bogeyman?". Hong Kong: South China Morning Post. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 "Profile of the Group's Chairman". Sing Tao News Corporation Limited. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  5. ↑ 9名闽籍港澳人士在全国政协履新 (in Chinese). China: 八闽报道. 25 March 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "HKSAR PRECEDENCE LIST" (PDF). Hong Kong: HKSAR Government. August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  7. 1 2 "hong kong needs honour its real heroes not government yes men". Hong Kong: South China Morning Post. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  8. ↑ 福建省政府福建僑網政協常委名單 Archived August 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. (in Chinese). Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  9. ↑ Ho Ying Chie Retrieved 17 August 2014
  10. 1 2 "Supporter of CY's rival gets top award". Hong Kong: RTHK. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  11. 1 2 Deng, Andrea (9 December 2011). "War of words flares over 'Leung bankruptcy' report". China: China Daily Asia. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  12. ↑ 何柱國：梁振英冇令香港一鋪清袋 (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Apple Daily. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  13. ↑ 2014 Honors List Retrieved 17 August 2014
  14. ↑ 何柱國評公民提名：如推舉黑社會選特首點算？ (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Apple Daily. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  15. ↑ 何柱國:中央認同泛民有愛國人士 未限出閘 (in Chinese). Hong Kong: 信報. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
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