Chief Executive Donald Tsang has passed his condolences to the family of former Financial Secretary Sir John James Cowperthwaite who has died in Scotland. He served from 1961 to 1971.

"The administration joins me in extending our deepest condolences and sympathies to his wife on her bereavement," Mr Tsang said today.

"We shall always remember Sir John for the pioneering and dominant role he played in the birth of the legend of Hong Kong as the freest market economy in the world."