Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing appeared to be sending a subtle message about leadership to the city’s top official on Friday, when he praised a Nobel Prize laureate and two associates.

Li praised the “selflessness” displayed by this year’s co-winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Michael Houghton, and by two of Houghton’s colleagues.

Houghton, a British scientist and a virology professor at the University of Alberta, was awarded the prize on Thursday along with two other scientists, Harvey Alter and Charles Rice, for their research leading to the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus.

In a virtual ceremony to mark his award, held at the Canadian university, Houghton praised two colleagues – Singaporean Qui-lim Choo and Taiwanese George Kuo – as unsung heroes who worked with him on the research.

Choo and Kuo did not receive the official award due to Nobel Assembly rules limiting the prize to no more than three recipients. However, they will both receive an award of HK$380,000 (US$49,000), equivalent to Houghton’s award money, from the Li Ka Shing Foundation in recognition of their work.

On the foundation’s Facebook page, Li commended Houghton for his dedication to scientific research and for showing the desirable quality of selflessness.

Li went on to say: “In today’s world, leaders cannot be self-centered. This would be the largest limitation to innovation.”

The billionaire’s remarks on leadership and politics have often been seen as subtle criticisms of Lam’s government in recent years.

At the height of anti-extradition bill protests last August, Li invoked ancient Chinese poetry in a front-page statement published in several newspapers expressing his views on the political situation. Some observers believe Li was calling for a halt to oppressive actions against young people.

In September, one of Li’s top aides and director of Li’s foundation, Solina Chau, responded to speculation about whether Chief Executive Carrie Lam and her cabinet would all resign. Chau cautioned against impatience, citing a line from the Bible: “There is a time for everything.”

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