Li Tse-fong

Li Tse-fong
J.P.
Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong
In office
7 July 1939 – 28 December 1939
Appointed by Sir Geoffry Northcote
Preceded by Li Shu-fan
Succeeded by Li Shu-fan
In office
17 January 1941 – 25 December 1941
Appointed by Sir Mark Young
Preceded by Li Shu-fan
Personal details
Born (1891-09-21)21 September 1891
Hong Kong
Died 8 April 1976(1976-04-08) (aged 84)
Nevada, United States
Spouse(s) Tang Sau-ching
Children Li Wai-yin
Li Wai-kuen
Li Wai-han
Li Fook-cheung
Li Fook-wo
Li Fook-tai
Li Fook-kuen
Li Fook-kow
Li Fook-pui
Alma mater Queen's College
University of Hong Kong
Occupation Businessman
Banker
Politician
Religion Church of England

Li Tse-fong (21 September 1891 – 5 October 1953) was a Hong Kong entrepreneur and politician. He was the founder of the East Asia Bank and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.

Education and business career

Born in Hong Kong on 21 September 1891, he was son of a wealthy local businessman, Li Shek-pang. He educated at the Queen's College and graduated with the Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hong Kong in 1916 as one of the first graduates of the university.

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 use of vessels during the First World War, Li organised the local merchants to demand for exemption of commercial vessels.[1]

In November 1918, Li co-founded the East Asia Bank 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 the 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.[2]

Public services

Li appointed to the Currency Committee in 1930, which laid the foundation of introducing the Hong Kong Dollar,.[3] He was later appointed to various public offices including the Board of Education from 1935,[4] member of the Court of the University of Hong Kong 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 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 and again in 1941 before the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong. He was also Chairman of the Tung Wah Hospital and Po Leung Kuk, the two largest charities in Hong Kong at the time.[2]

During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, he was appointed by the Japanese to the Chinese Representative Council and the Chinese Cooperative Council. 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 his collaboration with the Japanese, he was not reappointed to the Legislative Council after the war.[5]

Death and family

Li died on 5 October 1953 in Nevada, United States during his visit to his children. His body was returned to Hong Kong by SS President Cleveland and was buried at the Hong Kong Christian Churches Union Po Fu Lam Road Cemetery after the funeral at Saint Paul's Church on 17 October, which was attended by many local community leaders.[6]

Li married Tang Sau-ching, whose father was the comprador of the Mercantile Bank who Li learned most of his banking knowledge and experience from. They had nine children. His second son, Li Fook-wo, was also appointed member of the Legislative Council.[2] His third son, Li Fook-tai, married Cindy Yu, daughter of Yu Hung-chun, Premier of the Republic of China. Andrew Li, son of Li Tse-fong's another son, Li Fook-kow, was the first Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong SAR.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "李子方略歷". Wah Kiu Yat Po. 11 October 1953. p. 6.
  2. 1 2 3 "本港殷商李子方 前日美國病逝". Kung Sheung Daily News. 7 September 1953. p. 5.
  3. ↑ "Report of Currency Committee, 1930" (PDF).
  4. ↑ "Report of the Director of Education for the Year 1935" (PDF).
  5. ↑ Carroll, John M (2009). Edge of Empires: Chinese Elites and British Colonials in Hong Kong. Harvard University Press.
  6. ↑ "李子方昨出殯 紳商名流執紼者眾 宗教儀式莊嚴肅穆". Kung Sheung Daily News. 18 October 1953. p. 5.
  7. ↑ Zheng, Victor (2009). Chinese Family Business and the Equal Inheritance System: Unravelling the Myth. Routledge. p. 111.
Legislative Council of Hong Kong
Preceded by
Li Shu-fan		 Chinese Unofficial Member
1939 		Succeeded by
Li Shu-fan
Chinese Unofficial Member
1941 		Vacant
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