VIPs from both sides of the Taiwan Straits yesterday paid tribute to General Robert Ho Shai-lai at a Buddhist funeral ceremony before his final journey to Cape Collinson in Chai Wan.

Premier Hsiao Wan-chang, who flew in from Taiwan for the funeral said: ``Gen Ho was a patriotic general and deserved the honour to have Taiwan's flag covering his coffin.''

Cheng An-kuo, managing director of the Chung Hwa Travel Service, Taiwan's de facto mission in the SAR said: ``If the funeral had been held in Taiwan, there would have been some form of ceremony to honour Gen Ho. But we respect his family members' will.''

After the ceremony, the general's remains were brought to Cape Collinson for cremation.

The ceremony was held at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, where floral wreaths from educational organisations, business corporations and prominent figures surrounded the bier bearing his coffin.

At the centre of the hall was the wreath from Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa.

There were also wreaths and calligraphy from the Information Services Department.

Wreaths were sent from Taiwan by President Lee Teng-hui, Mr Hsiao, former premier Hau Pei-tsun, and Mainland Affairs Council chairman Chang King-yuh.

There were also wreaths from Xinhua Deputy Director Zhu Yuchang, and former deputy director Zhang Junsheng.

Gen Ho, the son of well-known philanthropist Robert Hotung, died at his home at the Peak on 26 July, aged 92.