Charles Ho

Charles Ho Tsu-kwok, GBM[1] (Chinese: 何柱國, born 23 June 1949)[2] is a Hong Kong[3] businessman who was the chairman of the Sing Tao News Corporation Limited between 2001 and 2021[4][1] and an independent non-executive director of Shun Tak Holdings. As a member of the pro-Beijing camp, Ho maintains 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 was 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 controversy in the Hong Kong media.[7]

The Honourable

Charles Ho Tsu-kwok

GBM
何柱國
Born (1949-06-23) 23 June 1949
British Hong Kong
NationalityHong Kong Chinese
OccupationBusinessman
Known forChairman of Sing Tao News Corporation Limited (2001–2021)
Charles Ho
Traditional Chinese何柱國
Simplified Chinese何柱国

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 the brother of David Ho, a Vancouver based entrepreneur.[10][11] Ho founded the Sing Tao Newspaper Group Limited in 2001.[4]

Events

Relation with CY Leung

On 9 December 2011, Ho, an outspoken supporter of Chief Executive Election candidate Henry Tang,[12] publicly challenged Tang's opponent CY Leung in a press conference, questioning his ability to handle the top job in Hong Kong.[13] 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.[13]

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".[14]

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."[15] The decision to award Ho the highest honor sparked dismay among some Hong Kong media. Ho is originally considered a staunch 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.[12] 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 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 triads nominated for the post.[16][17]

Reported entry denied to US

In early December 2019, there were unconfirmed reports that Ho was denied entry to the United States after the passing of Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act. Ho denied the rumour and sued an online media for libel.[18]

Politics

In December 2021, it was reported that Ho had a "privileged" vote in the 2021 Hong Kong legislative election, where the vote would count approximately 7,215 times more than an ordinary citizen.[19]

Awards

References
  1. Siu, Jasmine (2 July 2014). "Top award for Sing Tao chief". Hong Kong: The Standard. Archived from the original on 2014-08-19. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  2. 戴金胜 (18 February 2002). 简历：全国政协委员何柱国(特邀香港人士) (in Chinese). Sohu.com. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  3. "People's champion or bogeyman?". Hong Kong: South China Morning Post. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  4. "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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-11-22. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  7. "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. Sex-shame HK tycoon in court row; South China Morning Post.
  11. "B.C. billionaire pleads guilty to unlawfully confining prostitute" Toronto Star 2012-02-03
  12. "Supporter of CY's rival gets top award". Hong Kong: RTHK. 1 July 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  13. Deng, Andrea (9 December 2011). "War of words flares over 'Leung bankruptcy' report". China: China Daily Asia. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  14. 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.
  15. 2014 Honors List Retrieved 17 August 2014
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. 李慧娜 (2019-12-16). "何柱國入稟告網台誹謗 並要求披露參與發布人士資料". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Archived from the original on 2021-08-07. Retrieved 2021-10-13.
  19. FactWire (2021-12-15). "Factwire: 41 privileged voters have 7,200 times greater power than a regular Hong Kong voter following election revamp". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
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