Hong Kong property tycoon Gordon Wu Ying-sheung has said he is “very optimistic about the future of China” due to its “stability” as he received the Game Changer Award from the Asia Society for his contributions to the country’s development.

At a fireside chat on Thursday after receiving the award from the city leader, the 90-year-old founder and chairman of Hopewell Holdings said he has been betting on China since its opening up in 1978 and had remained confident.

“I am very optimistic about the future of China. Why? Because these are the people who really work hard … When you want to have an economy going, the most important thing is no war,” he said.

“Hong Kong is very fortunate because we are under their protection and we have our own legal system, the common law system. We have the best of two worlds.”

Referring to the ancient proverb of “turning weapons into jade and silk”, Wu expressed strong confidence that China’s stability would sustain its rise, unlike the situation in the United States.

“Because of their warmongering tendencies, they are not going to be as glorious or as resourceful as we are,” he said.