Ng passed away on February 27 in Union Hospital after a bout with liver cancer.

Chow, who was among other celebrities there, appeared in black at the Universal Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom with his sister at about 4.15pm yesterday and stayed for less than 10 minutes.

Chow did not respond to the media's questions but he had sent a wreath to the vigil.

Ng started his career in 1973 when he was 22. He later began to costar with Chow in the 1980s in more than 20 movies and became popular for their collaborations, including The Final Combat, The Justice of Life and Shaolin Soccer.

Other celebrities who worked with Ng, including Andy Lau Tak-wah and Sandra Ng Kwan-yue, also attended the funeral yesterday, alongside more than 100 fans of Ng.

Speaking to reporters outside the funeral parlor yesterday, the late actor's younger brother, Ng Lee-tat, said everyone at the vigil was upset, including Chow.

"My brother had said he and Chow had always been good friends," he said.

"I am proud of my elder brother. He took care of the family, was filial to our parents and cared about his brothers. All of his friends complimented him and all family members followed him as an example," he said.

"He has always been passionate and was very excited when talking about his work," the younger brother added.

Ng's family also issued a statement, saying Ng was a "golden supporting actor" and quoted his motto: "The most important thing to people is happiness."

The family also said people will remember Ng's spirit of respecting and enjoying his work, his excellent acting skills and moral integrity.

Ng will be buried in Malaysia, where his wife and son live, the statement said. His brother also said Ng had always wanted to stay with his family in Malaysia.

The memorial service for Ng has been canceled due to the pandemic but Ng's close friend Tanky Tin Kai-man called on people to send blessings to the late actor's family in their own ways.