HONG KONG - Prominent entrepreneur Ho Tsu-kwok was mourned at the Hong Kong Funeral Home over the weekend and remembered for his contributions to the country as well as to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Among those sending mourning wreaths on Saturday to Ho were Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, and Xia Baolong, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the CPPCC, paid his respect to Ho at the funeral home.

Ho died of illness at the age of 77 on June 11 in Hong Kong, said an official statement on Saturday.

A burial ceremony for Ho was held at the Hong Kong Funeral Home Sunday morning, before his coffin was moved to the cemetery at noon time.

Leung, Peter Lam Kin-ngok, standing committee member of the CPPCC National Committee and chairman of the Tourism Board, Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kuo-ki, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, and President of the Legislative Council Andrew LEUNG Kwan-yuen, among others, were present.

Ho, born in Shanghai in June 1949, was the former chairman of the Hong Kong Tobacco Company Limited and former chairman of the Sing Tao News Corporation Limited.

He was a former member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, or the country's top political advisory body.

ALSO READ: Mainland investor bets on HK media industry

Ho was hailed as a renowned patriotic entrepreneur and "a close friend of the Communist Party of China," according to the statement, which said he loved the country and Hong Kong, firmly supported the "one country, two systems" policy and the Basic Law of HKSAR, and supported the HKSAR government's efforts in exercising law-based governance.

He played a significant role in ensuring Hong Kong's smooth transition, its return to the motherland, and its long-term prosperity and stability, the statement noted.

Ho also supported the country's reform and opening up and was actively involved in economic development and philanthropic efforts on the mainland, the statement added.

After his passing, leaders of the central authorities sent condolences to Ho's family through various means.