In an interview with a Chinese-language newspaper, he said this has led to the unfair allegation that the business sector is prospering at the expense of the less well off.

In the interview, Mr Tien, who is also chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said the gap between the rich and poor was widening. He said this was causing discontent among the "have-nots" and leading to accusations that the business sector was prospering by somehow colluding with the government.

Mr Tien said the administration's fiscal reserve and the Exchange Fund now total more than HK$2 trillion, which he said could be used to improve the livelihoods of the poor.

A government spokesman said the administration spends money according to its income. He pointed out that spending on the poor was increased substantially in this year's budget and said the government would continue to help the poor.