Patriotic billionaire, philanthropist Henry Fong dies at 97
Hong Kong patriotic philanthropist and billionaire Henry Fong Yunwah died on Thursday at the age of 97 in the presence of his family.
Born in 1924 in Heyuan, Guangdong province, the chairman of Hip Shing Hong Group, one of the largest real estate investment companies in Hong Kong, came to the city when he was 4 years old with his father, Fong Shu-chuen.
Fong Shu-chuen set up the Yee Tak Sesame Factory with his oldest son, Henry Fong, in Shau Kei Wan in 1927. In April 1948, Fong Shu-chuen founded Hip Shing Hong on Wing Wo Street, trading in cinnamon and sesame seeds imported from the Chinese mainland. In the early 1950s, Henry Fong transformed HSH into a real-estate developer.
The revered business leader was commended for his patriotism and generosity. He made it on the 2010 Forbes Asia’s annual Heroes of Philanthropy list and received the China Charity Award from the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
His philanthropic pursuits were rooted early in his life. A statement by HSH said Henry Fong told his father even in the early days that he would devote himself to charity causes when he is capable and successful. Honoring his words, Henry Fong in the 1950s began to donate money to build schools in his hometown.
A relentless pursuer of philanthropic causes, Fong was an active sponsor in education, medical services and social welfare on the mainland since the 1950s and donated to over 6 million projects across the mainland. Despite his generosity that left his mark across the country, Fong regarded himself as a social worker who tried his best to help others, and not a philanthropist.
Understanding the limits of time and abilities as an individual, Fong believed that only by reaching out more to the needy can one’s life be enriched with happiness and self-satisfaction, HSH’s statement said.
In 1994, Asteroid 5198 was named after Fong in recognition of his contributions and philanthropy.
Fong also served numerous times in a public capacity in the city and on the mainland, including as vicepresident of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong and as honorary president of the China Charity Federation.
Fong was a frequent op-ed contributor to China Daily and made relentless efforts to help the city’s youngsters by sponsoring youth programs and making donations to help build schools.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor on Thursday evening expressed her sadness over the passing of Henry Fong, who was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star, the city’s second-highest honor, in 2018.
Calling him an outstanding patriotic philanthropist and businessman, Lam said Henry Fong had extraordinary achievements in business and was passionate about philanthropic causes.
Noting his involvement in innumerable charity projects in both the city and the mainland that spanned education, medical service, aerospace technology and services for the elderly and children, Lam said Henry Fong had dedicated his whole life to serving the public and contributing to society.