Tin’s philanthropic spirit ‘will live on’

Late Hong Kong industrialist and philanthropist Tin Ka-ping would see his legacy — a selfless philanthropic spirit and an undying faith in empowering the nation with education — passed on from generation to generation, said his family, co-workers and students who had benefited from his donations.

Their remarks were published in a news story released by Xinhua News Agency on Sunday.

Tin, who died in Hong Kong on July 10 at the age of 99, was widely recognized for his generosity in helping others while having lived a frugal life himself.

The Tin Ka Ping Foundation — a charitable foundation established in 1982 — has, so far, built or subsidized 200 primary and secondary schools in 34 provinces and regions across the country.

At a memorial service for Tin late last month, Sun Xiao, a student from a middle-school subsidized by Tin in Hunan province, said she and her schoolmates paid a silent tribute to Tin on the day he passed away.

“It made me realize that Tin’s spirit — helping others without asking for anything in return — has been planted in all students at schools he had helped build,” she said.

Calling the spirit a common faith, Sun said she and her peers would pass on that spirit by making the best they could to contribute to society.

David Day, chief executive of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation, said the foundation will continue to put the tycoon’s faith in education, and adjust its course in line with the country’s educational development.

According to Day, the foundation carries out about 70 projects each year with an input of HK$70 million, and has been shifting its focus from supporting facilities to enhancing education quality and advancing all-round education over the years.

Members of the tycoon’s family also shared fond memories of him, revealing that, in his final hours and despite having lost his eyesight, Tin held a map of China in his shaking hands showing schools bearing his name across the country.

Tin had nine children who, according to his memoirs, all supported his life-long dedication to enriching the country with education, and practiced what he had preached — it’s better to leave the world with virtues than with family wealth.

Tin’s spirit has been planted in all students at schools he had helped build.” Sun Xiao, a student from a middle-school subsidized by Tin Ka-ping in Hunan province