PRESS DIGEST - Hong Kong - Feb 8

HONG KONG Feb 8 (Reuters) - These are some of the leading stories in Hong Kong newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

-- Chief Executive Donald Tsang described the wealth gap in Hong Kong as "a worry of capitalism", but he said the government is focusing on ensuring the poor do not become poorer.

-- Mainland shipyards, where new orders dropped more than 50 percent last year, are expecting a substantial rebound in new building contracts this year as the shipping industry recovers, a senior official at China State Shipbuilding Corp (CSSC) said.

-- Chinese power plant operator GCL-Poly Energy (3800.HK) plans to make a foray into solar power generation projects overseas and will bid for projects overseas through its joint venture with sovereign fund China Investment Corp (CIC), according to Zhou Jiangbo, head of investor relations.

HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES

-- Australian company Resourcehouse said it has struck a US$60 billion (HK$468 billion), 20-year agreement to supply coal to China Power International Development (2380.HK), for about US$3 billion a year, calling it Australia's biggest export contract.

SING TAO

-- Chinese health supplement provider Ruinian International, which has attracted shareholders such as tycoon Li Ka-shing and global investor Mark Mobius, aims to raise up to HK$1.1 billion (US$142 million) in an initial public offering of shares in Hong Kong, raising capital to fund market expansion, to build new production lines, and for potential acquisitions.

TA KUNG PAO

-- China State Construction International Holdings (3311.HK) said its subsidiary agreed to subscribe for convertible bonds issued by a property firm of the aggregate principal amount of HK$400 million, along with a subsidiary of ENM Holdings (0128.HK) and Somercotes, an investment firm owned by the estate of tycoon Nina Wang.

APPLE DAILY

-- Swire Pacific's (0019.HK) Swire Properties, which is estimated to have a market capitalisation of HK$23.4 billion, is expected to submit a listing application to the Hong Kong bourse later in February aiming for a listing in May, according to market sources. Sponsors include HSBC, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

For Chinese newspapers, see...............[PRESS/CN]

For Taiwan newspapers, see............[PRESS/TW] (Reporting by Twinnie Siu; Editing by Ken Wills)