He was noted for his unmatched access to leaders in both the commercial and political arenas and was equally at ease with Western political leaders and the Chinese leadership in the run-up to Hong Kong's ceasing to be a British colony in 1997 (for example Margaret Thatcher wrote the foreword to his biography published in 1990 and he was appointed a Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee planning Hong Kong's constitution after 1997). He was also a generous philanthropist notably in educational projects (helping set up universities, libraries, and scholarship schemes).
He was renowned for his unparalleled access to influential figures in both business and politics, and he effortlessly interacted with Western political leaders as well as Chinese leadership during the period leading up to Hong Kong's transition from British territory in 1997 (for instance, Margaret Thatcher wrote the foreword to his biography published in 1990, and he was appointed a Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee, which planned Hong Kong's constitution after 1997). He was also a generous philanthropist, particularly in educational initiatives (helping establish universities, libraries, and scholarship programs).