HONG KONG: The high esteem Henry Fok was held in was evident at the Hong Kong Funeral Home Monday.

Not only political and business leaders, but also ordinary citizens flocked to the home to heap praise on patriot businessman Fok, describing him as a role model for youngsters who helped the nation in its hour of need.

Funeral committee members, including Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Vice-Chairman Wang Zhongyu, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Director Liao Hui, United Front Work Department head Liu Yandong and former Chief Executive and CPPCC Vice-Chairman Tung Chee-hwa, paid their respects.

Business leaders, including Cheung Kong (Holdings) chairman Li Ka-shing, banker David Li and media mogul Run Run Shaw, and athletes, including Li Ching and Ko Lai-chak, who won a table tennis silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games, also visited the funeral parlour, as well as politicians from across the spectrum.

A wreath presented by President Hu Jintao, made of white roses and lilies, lay inside the funeral hall.

An ordinary citizen, surnamed Lee, who is headmaster at a secondary school in Tsuen Wan, took the day off work to take his two daughters to salute Fok.

"I respect Mr Fok for being a true patriot, for his contribution to the opening of our country," he said. "I hope my daughters will benefit from learning about his life and what it means to be a patriotic resident of Hong Kong," he said.

Chan, a 66-year-old former businessman, originally from Guangdong but now living in Hong Kong described Fok as his "idol," saying he was not only a successful entrepreneur but also a reformer.

Wong, a retired tailor aged 57, said Fok deserved tremendous respect for being an honourable patriot.

"Fok had great achievements in his life and showed real generosity towards others and society. Whatever he did, he always had the interests of his country and people in mind," she said.

The central government liaison office in Hong Kong and various mainland departments also presented wreaths.

There were so many wreaths that some had to be laid out in the pedestrian area and the park in Java Road.

Fok's funeral will be held today, and he will later be interred at a Buddhist Cemetery in Chai Wan. Roads near the funeral home will be closed, and traffic will be diverted.

Tram services will also be suspended.

The 84-year-old Fok died on October 28 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital after a two-decade battle with cancer.