Li Tse-fong (21 September 1891 – 5 September 1953)
李子方 was a Hong Kong entrepreneur and politician. He was a founder of the
Bank of East Asia
The Bank of East Asia Limited, often abbreviated to BEA, is a Hong Kong banking and financial services company, headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. It is currently the largest independent local Hong Kong bank, and one of two remaining family ...
and member of the
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LegCo) is the unicameral legislature of Hong Kong. It sits under China's " one country, two systems" constitutional arrangement, and is the power centre of Hong Kong ...
.
Education and business career
Born in Hong Kong on 21 September 1891, he was the son of a wealthy local businessman, Li Shek-pang. He was educated at the
Queen's College and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the
University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) (Chinese: 香港大學) is a public research university in Hong Kong. Founded in 1887 as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, it is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong. HKU was also the fi ...
in 1916 as one of its first graduates.
After his education, Li entered into his father's rice business, the Nam Wo Hong and also his shipping business. When in 1917 the Hong Kong government announced the restriction of the use of vessels during the
First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
, Li organised the local merchants to demand for the exemption of commercial vessels.
In November 1918, Li co-founded the
Bank of East Asia
The Bank of East Asia Limited, often abbreviated to BEA, is a Hong Kong banking and financial services company, headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. It is currently the largest independent local Hong Kong bank, and one of two remaining family ...
with Fung Ping-shan, Kan Tung-po and his brother Li Koon-chun. Li Tse-fong became the bank's assistant manager, manager and later life director. He was also director of the China Emporium, China Provident Co., Ltd.,
Green Island Cement Co., Ltd.,
A. S. Watson Co, Ltd. and various public companies.
Public service
Li was appointed to the Currency Committee in 1930, which laid the foundation of introducing the
Hong Kong Dollar
The Hong Kong dollar (, currency symbol, sign: HK$; ISO 4217, code: HKD) is the official currency of the Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It is subdivided into 100 cent (currency), cents or 1000 Mill (currency), mils. The H ...
. He was later appointed to various public offices including the Board of Education from 1935, member of the Court of the
University of Hong Kong
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) (Chinese: 香港大學) is a public research university in Hong Kong. Founded in 1887 as the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese, it is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong. HKU was also the fi ...
from 1936, the Committee on the Training of Teachers Training of Teachers in 1938, and the War Revenue Committee in 1940.
Li was appointed to the
Urban Council
The Urban Council (UrbCo) was a municipal council in Hong Kong responsible for municipal services on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon (including New Kowloon). These services were provided by the council's executive arm, the Urban Services ...
in 1939 in succession of
W. N. T. Tam and was appointed member of the
Legislative Council temporarily in 1939 during the absence of
Li Shu-fan
Li Shu-fan (1887 – 24 November 1966) was a leader of the medical profession in Hong Kong and a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
Biography
He was a native of China but received his early education in the US. Li graduated from ...
and again in 1941 before the
Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. He was also Chairman of the
Tung Wah Hospital
Tung Wah Hospital is a Charitable hospital in Hong Kong under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Located above Possession Point, at 12 Po Yan Street in Sheung Wan, it is the first hospital established in Colonial Hong Kong for the general publ ...
and
Po Leung Kuk
The Po Leung Kuk, founded as the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, is a charitable organisation in Hong Kong that provides support for orphaned children, education and other services.
History
In the late 19th century, abd ...
, the two largest charities in Hong Kong at the time.
During the
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Imperial Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began when the Governor of Hong Kong, Mark Aitchison Young, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the British Crown colony of British Hong Kong, Hong Kong to the Empire of Japan on 25 December 1941. The surr ...
, he was appointed by the Japanese to the
Chinese Representative Council
The Chinese Representative Council was a council consisting of leading local Chinese and Eurasian community leaders established by Japan during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.
Background
After British Governor of Hong Kong Mark Aitchiso ...
and the
Chinese Cooperative Council
The Chinese Cooperative Council was a civilian council consisting of leading local Chinese and Eurasians leaders during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong.
History
After the British surrender, the Japanese tried to consolidate their power by ...
. In 1944, when the Japanese were losing the war, Li avoided their duties from the two Councils by withdrawing from the public life. Due to accusations of his collaboration with the Japanese (Bank of East Asia was one of the few banks that could resume business under Japanese rule and issued lottery tickets which raised fund for
Imperial Armed forces), he was not reappointed to the Legislative Council after the war.
A post-war British military administration was set up with Brigadier David M. MacDougall as Chief Civil Affairs Officer, who explained why men like Li Tse-fong were not reappointed after the war: "Hong Kong was set to make a fresh start, if such was possible. Li Tse-fong ... who in a real sense bore the burden and the heat of Japanese occupation had thereby inevitably become controversial figures."
Death and family
Li died on 5 September 1953 in the United States at a small town in
Nevada
Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...
called
Winnemucca on his way to San Francisco from Colorado Springs, where he travelled to visit his daughters. His body was returned to Hong Kong by ''
SS President Cleveland'' and was buried at the
Hong Kong Christian Churches Union Pokfulam Road Cemetery after the funeral at Saint Paul's Church on 17 October, which was attended by many local community leaders.
Li married Tang Sau-hing, whose father was the comprador of the
Mercantile Bank from whom Li acquired most of his banking knowledge and experience. They had nine children. His second son,
Li Fook-wo
Li Fook-wo, CBE, BS, MCS, Hon. LLD, Hon. DSSc, FCIB, FHKIB, JP (26 September 1916 – 4 July 2014) was a Hong Kong politician and banker. He was the Chief Manager of the Bank of East Asia, his family business, and also unofficial membe ...
, was also appointed member of the Legislative Council.
His third son, Li Fook-tai, married Alice Yui, daughter of
Yu Hung-chun
Yu Hung-chun (; 4 January 1898 – 1 June 1960), also known as O. K. Yui, was a Chinese political figure who served as mayor of Shanghai, chairman of the Taiwan Provincial Government and Premier of the Republic of China.
Right before the Battle ...
,
Premier of the Republic of China
The Premier of the Republic of China, officially the President of the Executive Yuan (Chinese language, Chinese: 行政院院長), is the head of the government of the Republic of China of Taiwan and leader of the Executive Yuan. The premier ...
.
Andrew Li, son of Li Tse-fong's another son,
Li Fook-kow, was the first
Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
The chief justice of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, sometimes informally known as the chief justice of Hong Kong, is the head of the Judiciary of Hong Kong and the chief judge of the Court of Final Appeal. The chief justice is one of t ...
of the Hong Kong SAR.
Legacy
* Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui North Point St. Peter's Church was originally envisioned by Li in 1950 and when construction was completed in 1962, the church was dedicated to the memory of Li Tse-fong and Tang Sau-hing
* LI Tze Fong Memorial Scholarship awards were endowed in 1998 to the glory of God and in memory of Li Tze Fong. The fellowships are open to outstanding graduates from any institution and country and are for full-time study and research leading to a master or doctorate degree at the
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public university, public research university with campuses near Vancouver and in Kelowna, British Columbia. Established in 1908, it is British Columbia's oldest university. The university ranks a ...
. The fellowships are open to candidates in any field of study which is offered at the University. Candidates are selected from applicants for University Graduate Fellowships. Recipients are known as Li Tze Fong Scholars.
See also
*
Four big families of Hong Kong
The four big families of Hong Kong ()Sing Tao Daily. Section C-4 HR news. 7/31/2007. is a term used to describe the four business families who historically rose to prominence and became influential in Hong Kong. In order of influence, they are ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Li, Tse-fong
1891 births
1953 deaths
Alumni of the University of Hong Kong
Bank of East Asia
Hong Kong collaborators with Imperial Japan
Hong Kong Anglicans
Hong Kong bankers
Members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Members of the Urban Council of Hong Kong
Alumni of Queen's College, Hong Kong
Li family of Hong Kong