Hong Kong tycoon recruits husband for lesbian daughter

Gigi Chao (right) is said to have married her partner, Sean Eav (left), earlier this year in France

A well-known Hong Kong billionaire has offered $65m (£40m) to any man able to woo and marry his lesbian daughter.

Property and shipping tycoon Cecil Chao publicly promised the "marriage bounty" after reports emerged that his daughter had wed her long-term girlfriend.

Mr Chao, who has never married himself, told the BBC his daughter was still single and needed a "good husband".

Same-sex unions are not recognised in Hong Kong, although homosexuality was decriminalised in 1991.

Gigi Chao, a businesswoman and graduate from the University of Manchester, is said to have married her female partner of seven years, Sean Eav, in a ceremony in France earlier this year.

But her flamboyant father rejected the claims as false, adding that his generous offer had already generated many replies from potential suitors.

"It is an inducement to attract someone who has the talent but not the capital to start his own business," Mr Chao said.

"I don't mind whether he is rich or poor. The important thing is that he is generous and kind-hearted.

"Gigi is a very good woman with both talents and looks. She is devoted to her parents, is generous and does volunteer work."

His public hunt for a husband notwithstanding, Mr Chao insisted he would not force his daughter to marry a man against her will.

Ms Chao said she found her father's plan entertaining and would not worry about it until an actual suitor had been found.