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Billionaire accused of "touching" great-granddaughters

Ming Pao



Chen Din-hwa
More family scandals involving Hong Kong billionaire Chen Din-hwa were exposed following a squabble between his daughters over his fortune. After suing her younger daughter Vivian Chen Wai-wai, his 86-year-old wife Yang Foo-oi has filed for divorce. Yang claimed that he had "touched" the intimate areas of their great-granddaughters - aged five and eight - in a car while they were heading to a Halloween party in October. She also alleged that Chen "sexually harassed" the nurses and domestic helpers. She said the husband's "unreasonable behaviour" has resulted in her not being able to live with him anymore.



A file photo of the Chen family. From left: Yang, Wai-wai, Chen and Wai-fong
However, outsiders understood that the allegations were somehow linked to the dispute between the daughters – Wai-wai and Wai-fong. Yang is backing Wai-fong in the squabble over the US$3.2bil wealth of the Nan Fung Group founder, who is also the eighth richest man in the Special Administrative Region.

But the 87-year-old "King of Cotton Yarn" might not know this as he is said to be suffering from Alzheimer's. A Hong Kong court has earlier pronounced him mentally incapacitated. Lawyers have analysed the issue and said whatever the allegations were, Chen would not be able to defence himself.

If the couple are divorced, Yang could demand part of Chen's wealth although he had written a will to donate 95% of his fortune for charity after he dies, they said. But now that the tycoon is still alive, the wife could still share his assets, said the lawyers. Last week, Yang filed a lawsuit against Wai-wai, who is now the chairman and managing director of Nan Fung.

[ImmitsRom]

Tycoon's wife sues daughter over money



Chen Din-hwa
A money dispute involving the family of Hong Kong billionaire Chen Din-hwa was exposed with the wife suing their own daughter. Yang Foo-oi, in her 80s, has filed a suit against Vivian Chen Wai-wai, 51, for damages and other relief. According to court documents, the dispute was over the distribution of Chen's assets to Yang, Wai-wai and his other daughter between 2003 and 2005.


Chen Wai-wai
Chen, 87, is the founder of Nan Fung Group - a leading company in textile business established in 1954. He is also dubbed the "King of Cotton Yarn". The tycoon was born in Ningbo, China. After completing his education, he went to Shanghai and worked at a trading company.

By only 20, he was already the General Manager of three business organisations in Shanghai and Ningbo. He moved to Hong Kong in 1949. Chen also has other businesses including shipping, construction and property management. According to Forbes magazine, Chen is one of the 10 richest man in Hong Kong with a wealth of US$3.2bil.

The tycoon has retired. He spends most of his time doing charity work. He has also been rumoured to be suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Wai-wai became the Chairman and Managing Director of Nan Fung last year. On Tuesday, she issued a statement saying that the family dispute would not affect business operations.