Li was among many billionaires who reaped big profits from the Chinese mainland market, as his fortune rose to an estimated US$22 billion from US$18.8 billion a year before, the magazine said in announcing its annual list of the wealthiest in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Li, 78, has long been at or near the top of various rich lists compiled by financial magazines and researchers. His empire includes the Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong conglomerates.

China's economy has been growing at rates of more than 10 percent for several years running. Most of the tycoons in Asia have extensive business interests in the mainland, further benefiting from soaring real estate and stock prices. The Shanghai Composite Index more than doubled in value last year, with Hong Kong's key index climbing 43 percent and Taiwan's 20 percent.

Forbes compiles a separate list for mainland tycoons. The most recent version of that list was topped by Wong Kwong-yu, a 37-year-old appliance retailer whose wealth totaled US$2.3 billion.

Hong Kong and Taiwan businesses are getting richer through investments, operating businesses or simply "feeling the halo effect from proximity to the mainland," Forbes said in a press release.

Several of the tycoons topping the list added billions in wealth through share listings. That included Hong Kong's Lee Shau Kee, No. 2 with wealth estimated at US$16.5 billion.

1

2

(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)