Next year is the 10th anniversary of the crackdown on students in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of communist China. Was there room for the commemoration of both, I asked Mr Tung?
"The 50th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Republic of China is a huge event for all of us here, something we will be very proud of, something we will be celebrating," replied the tycoon, whose family fled the communists to Hong Kong in 1947. "To be 50 years old is a good thing, especially with the progress China is making. We're very proud of China."
Regarding demonstrations for other events, "so long as they are legal, so long as they are within the framework of law, sure, they will be permitted as before". Did he still think it was time to "put down the June 4th baggage" as he referred once to the commemoration of Tiananmen in Hong Kong, a remark which angered people attending the annual memorial service in 1997? "I have always said that and I remain very strongly of that view," he replied.