HONG KONG: Hong Kong's 40 richest tycoons are all US dollar billionaires again thanks to the surging Chinese economy, with the elite group worth a combined $163 billion, Forbes said Thursday. The financial hub's wealthiest added $28 billion to their net worth over the last year, with all of the 40 richest boasting billion dollar fortunes, up from the previous annual list when six tycoons fell below that benchmark. The last time the top 40 were all billionaires was in 2008, when their combined fortunes reached a peak of $178 billion, Forbes said. Li Ka-shing, the 82-year-old head of conglomerate Cheung Kong Holdings, was once again Hong Kong's richest person with a $24 billion fortune, up from $21.3 billion, according to the annual list compiled by Forbes business magazine. Li's son Richard ranked 30th with a $1.35 billion fortune. Following the elder Li were property giants the Kwok family at $20 billion, a $3 billion year-on-year boost, Forbes said. Henderson Land chief Lee Shau-kee, 82, grabbed third spot at $19.5 billion with his property losing value, but still boosting net worth by $500 million year-on-year. – Agence France
