Richer and richer

On the back of China's economic growth, many of the city's 40 richest people increased their investments in the mainland, mostly in buildings, shops and hotels.

But the billionaires still have some way to go before recouping all their losses from the financial crisis to beat the historic high of US$179 billion combined wealth they chalked up in 2008.

To put total wealth in context, these tycoons could pay for the HK$65 billion Express Rail Link more than 16 times over.

After a fruitful year in the property market, Henderson's stock price doubled, helping bring chairman Lee Shau-kee up one notch to become Hong Kong's second-richest man - surpassing the Kwok family of Sun Hung Kai Properties (0016).

It is hardly surprising that "Superman" Li Ka-shing of Cheung Kong (Holdings) (0001) has topped the list once again, as his wealth grew more than US$5.1 billion to US$21.3 billion.