Preceded by Li Shu-fan Preceded by Li Shu-fan Spouse(s) Tang Sau-ching | Succeeded by Li Shu-fan Name Li Tse-fong Role Politician | |
 | ||
Born 21 September 1891Hong Kong ( 1891-09-21 ) Education Queen's College, Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong | ||
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.
Contents
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 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, Li organised the local merchants to demand for the exemption of commercial vessels.
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 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 services
Li appointed to the Currency Committee in 1930, which laid the foundation of introducing the Hong Kong Dollar,. 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 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.
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 public life. Due to his collaboration with the Japanese, he was not reappointed to the Legislative Council after the war.
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 on the SS President Cleveland and was buried at the Hong Kong Christian Churches Union Po Fu Lam Road Cemetery after a funeral at Saint Paul's Church on 17 October, which was attended by many local community leaders.
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. His third son, Li Fook-tai, married Alice Yui, 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.