Yeung Kwong facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Yeung Kwong
GBM
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Yeung Kwong at a rally in November 1967
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| Chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions | |||||||||||||
| In office 1962–1980 |
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| Preceded by | Lee Sang | ||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Poon Kwong-wai | ||||||||||||
| President of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions | |||||||||||||
| In office 1980–1988 |
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| Preceded by | Chan Yiu-choi | ||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Lee Chark-tim | ||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||
| Born | 1926 British Hong Kong |
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| Died | 16 May 2015 (aged 88–89) Prince of Wales Hospital, Sha Tin, Hong Kong |
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| Nationality | Chinese (Hong Kong) | ||||||||||||
| Political party | Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions | ||||||||||||
| Occupation | Trade unionist | ||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 楊光 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 杨光 | ||||||||||||
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Yeung Kwong (Chinese: 楊光; 1926 – 16 May 2015) was a Hong Kong person who worked to improve conditions for workers. He was a trade unionist and an activist for labour rights. He led the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (HKFTU) as chairman from 1962 to 1980. Later, he was its president from 1980 to 1988. He was also a key figure during the 1967 Hong Kong riots against British rule in Hong Kong.
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Working for Workers' Rights
Yeung Kwong was born in 1926. In 1948, he joined the Hong Kong Tramways Workers Union. The next year, he helped lead strikes for the tramway's fare conductors. This was to help them get better working conditions.
He became the chairman of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) in 1962. This was the biggest labour union in Hong Kong that supported Beijing. He held this role until 1980. After that, he served as the union's president from 1980 to 1988. From 1973 to 1987, he also represented Hong Kong in the National People's Congress. This is a big meeting in mainland China where important decisions are made.
The 1967 Hong Kong Riots
In 1967, there were big protests and unrest in Hong Kong. These events are known as the 1967 Hong Kong riots. They started from a disagreement between workers and a factory in San Po Kong. Yeung Kwong was a leader during these events. He was the director of a group called the Committee of Hong Kong and Kowloon Compatriots from All Circles for Struggle Against British Hong Kong Persecution.
During this time, many people were hurt. Sadly, some people also died.
Later Life and Passing
Yeung Kwong passed away on 16 May 2015. He was at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin, Hong Kong. He had a heart operation before he died.
Many important people sent their sympathy to his family. These included Carrie Lam, who was acting as the Chief Executive at the time. She praised his work for the labour movement. Other officials, like CY Leung and Matthew Cheung, also attended his funeral. The Director of Beijing's Liaison Office, Zhang Xiaoming, was also there.
Outside his funeral, some people protested. They held signs to remember those who died during the 1967 riots.
Images for kids
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Yeung Kwong at a rally in November 1967
