Henry Fok facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Fok
GBM
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| Vice Chairman of the CPPCC (8th, 9th, 10th) |
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| In office 27 March 1993 – 28 October 2006 |
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| Chairman | Li Ruihuan Jia Qinglin |
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| Delegate to the National People's Congress (7th, 8th) |
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| In office March 1988 – March 1998 |
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| Chairman | Wan Li Qiao Shi |
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| Constituency | Guangdong | ||||||||||
| Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (7th) |
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| In office 27 April 1988 – 27 March 1993 |
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| Chairman | Wan Li | ||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||
| Born |
霍官泰
Fok Koon Tai 10 May 1923 British Hong Kong |
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| Died | 28 October 2006 (aged 83) Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China |
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| Resting place | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
| Spouses | Lui Yin-nei Fung Kin-nei Lam Sue-tun |
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| Children | Fok Tsun-ting Fok Tsun-wan Fok Tsun-yu Fok Man-fong Fok Man-bun Fok Man-sun Fok Hin-yeung Fok Hin-suen Fok Hin-kwong Fok Hin-kung Fok Lai-ping Fok Lai-na Fok Lai-lai |
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 霍英東 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 霍英东 | ||||||||||
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Henry Fok Ying Tung (born May 10, 1923 – died October 28, 2006) was a very successful businessman from Hong Kong. His family originally came from Lianxi Village in Panyu, which is now part of Guangzhou, Guangdong.
Henry Fok was an important leader in China's government. He served as the Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference starting in March 1993. He was known as one of the wealthiest people in Hong Kong and worldwide. He passed away in Beijing in 2006.
Contents
Early Life & Education
Henry Fok was born in Hong Kong on May 10, 1923. His family belonged to the Tanka people. When he was only seven years old, his father died in a boating accident.
He started studying at Queen's College, Hong Kong. However, he could not finish junior high school. This was because of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Japanese invasion in 1937. During this difficult time, he worked as a laborer. He also helped manage his family's small boat business.
Henry Fok's Business Success
After the war ended, Henry Fok became a very successful businessman. He had many different business interests. These included restaurants, real estate, casinos, and even oil. He was known for his clever business skills. He even helped transport important supplies during challenging times.
He held many important positions in the business world. He was the President of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. He also led the Hong Kong Football Association. He was the President of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong. Henry Fok was also the Chairman of his own companies, Henry Fok Estates Ltd and Yau Wing Co of Hong Kong.
In the 1980s, Henry Fok helped save a large shipping company called OOCL from going out of business. This happened shortly after its founder, Tung Chao-yung, passed away.
Political Involvement
Before Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, Henry Fok played a big role. He was a member of the committee that wrote the Hong Kong Basic Law. This law is like Hong Kong's mini-constitution. He also served as a vice-chairman on committees that prepared for Hong Kong's handover. He was also a member of the 7th National People's Congress.
It is often said that Henry Fok introduced Tung Chee-hwa to Jiang Zemin. Tung Chee Hwa later became the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Henry Fok had helped Tung Chee Hwa's family business in the 1980s. Because of their close relationship, people believed Fok often gave advice to Tung.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Henry Fok was also known for his generous giving. In 1984, he started the Fok Ying Tung Foundation. Today, this foundation is one of the biggest organizations that gives money to good causes in Hong Kong.
Fok also created a high-technology business park in Nansha District, Guangzhou. He visited the site over 500 times to oversee its development. Through his foundation, he promised HK$800 million (about US$100 million) to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2005. This money was to support new projects and ideas.
Family Life
Henry Fok had several children. Some of his most well-known children include:
- Timothy Fok Tsun-ting – He became the chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association. He was also a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
- Ian Fok Chun-wan – He is the managing director of Yau Wing Co. Ltd. He is also a director of the Fok Ying Tung Foundation Ltd. He used to be the chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
Henry Fok's family roots were in Panyu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong.
Later Years & Legacy
Henry Fok passed away on October 28, 2006, at the age of 83. He died at the Peking Union Medical College in Beijing. He had been battling cancer since 1984. His body was brought back to Hong Kong for a traditional funeral.
He was one of the first people from Hong Kong to have his coffin covered with the Chinese national flag after the handover. This was a great honor. After his death, he was given the Medal of Reform Pioneer. This award recognized his important contributions to China.
See also
In Spanish: Henry Fok Ying-tung para niños
