Public figures and political parties in Hong Kong on Sunday extended their condolences on the death of Henry Fok Ying-tung, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), or the country's top advisory body.

Fok passed away in Beijing on Saturday. He was 84.

Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang said here Sunday he was deeply saddened to learn of Fok's death.

"The passing away of Mr. Fok is a sad loss to the country and to Hong Kong," the chief executive said. "On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Fok's family."

Fok had worked with singular devotion on the opening up of China's economy as well as for the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, Tsang said.

"We all owe him a debt of gratitude for his invaluable contribution" to Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the chief executive said. "He will be dearly missed by his family and friends."

Fok was "an outstanding public figure, renowned patriot, famous businessman, and close friend of the Communist Party of China," according to an official obituary released in Beijing on Sunday.

The Hong Kong business tycoon served three terms as vice chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC. He was also honorary president of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

Tsang Hin Chi, member of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the country's top legislature, said he was deeply saddened by Fok's passing away.

"To me, Fok is a revered mentor and a close friend," he said.

Patrick Ho, secretary of home affairs of the HKSAR government and also member of the CPPCC National Committee, said he felt very sad for Fok's passing away.

Upon Fok's great donation to the development of culture, sports and education in Hong Kong and China's mainland, Ho said Fok's was energetic but kept a low-profile and simple life himself.

"Fok deserved our great respect," Ho said.

Ma Lik, chairman of the Democratic Alliance of the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the largest political party in the city, said Fok "truly loved the country and Hong Kong" and contributed a lot to the exchange between Hong Kong and China's mainland.

"To Hong Kong, Fok's passing away is a huge loss," said Ma, who is also an NPC deputy and a legislative councilor of the HKSAR.

Renowned people in Hong Kong like Cheng Yiu-tong, member of the Executive Council and president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, Chan Wing-Kee, member of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, also expressed their condolence on Fok's death on different occasions.

In the run-up to Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Fok took up a number of important positions, including member of the Basic Law Drafting Committee, advisor on Hong Kong Affairs, vice chairman of the Preliminary Working Committee for the Preparatory Committee of the HKSAR, and vice chairman of the Preparatory Committee of the HKSAR.

Fok had made notable contribution to the development of industries in Hong Kong, and he was also extensively involved in charitable and community work and the development of sports both in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

Fok was awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 1997 by the HKSAR government.

Source: Xinhua