Wu added that since she started her business, the mainland investment environment has improved significantly with a fluid financial system and complete legal system, but it is not yet perfect. "What it lacks now is 'a global perspective' to merge into the business world, especially its relatively underdeveloped and conservative western regions."

"Some local officials and farmers in remote areas are still averse to foreign investors, fearing that their budgets are being eaten up," Wu said.

Nevertheless, Wu has never relaxed her efforts to transfer capital and business know-how into western regions. She recently set up a subsidiary catering company in the Tibet Autonomous Region to service flights departing from its capital Lhasa and also has lined up a green-food production base in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China, in an effort to help lift local farmers out of poverty. Besides this, Wu also has invited some foreign investors to investigate the two regions and invested heavily in training local employees in foreign language proficiency and management expertise.

"Hong Kong can play a bigger matchmaking role in letting the world know about west China," Wu said. "To achieve this, Hong Kong investors must themselves secure a solid foothold in the hinterlands and make bolder forays into modern agriculture and environment protection, which matter most for people's livelihoods."

"Economic development is supposed to bring people more tangible benefits," she added, "That's the obligation of the government and the enterprises."

Wu already has done her part in this regard. Her company offers assistance to local farmers by purchasing their food products and helping modernize their sanitation and agricultural production facilities. The company also has taken pains to avoid layoffs during the global economic downturn by expanding its catering services to schools and restaurants.

Despite having owned a dozen companies in Hong Kong and on the mainland, Wu, as she said, is not a moneymaking machine any more. Instead, she has plunged into charity work in recent years.

"Entrepreneurs are supposed to engage in undertakings that are more sustainable and rewarding for society, which I believe is the most meaningful and challenging part of business," she said. "That's also why I have never developed any interest in real estate speculation, however lucrative it is."

When asked about the secret of her success, Wu smiled and said, "In doing business, I care little about the benefits of the present, but eye the long-term outlook."