Part IV Venturing Overseas

To God of Moon I pray,
I shall travel the world some day
To catch a goose, if the world is large,
And a bird, if the world is small.
              ——A Ningbo Ballad

After World War II, the economic situation in the world changed drastically. Many industrialists and businessmen from Ningbo moved to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia and some European or American countries. With the capital accumulated in the inland area of China, they took the advantage of the situation after World War II and the unique position of Hong Kong and Taiwan to develop their enterprises in many parts of world.

1.   Struggling to Settle Down
With such virtues as courage, diligence, honesty and integrity, overseas Ningbonese gradually became old hand, and even experts in their own fields. In the process of their development, they not only gained a firm foothold but also became an important force in the development of the local economy.

【Story】Zhang Jimin: Transcribing Encyclopedia of American Tax Law
At the age of 15, Zhang brought with him 20 crocks of preserved pickles to Southeast Asia and later to Japan. He founded a pharmaceutical company in Japan, which gradually became the largest foreign-funded enterprise in the area. When he was 50, he went to the United States for further business advancement. In transcribing one-inch-thick Encyclopedia of American Tax Law, he mastered English grammar and American laws in a short time. As a Baron of Real Estate in the United States, he was among the richest in San Francisco. With his hard work and open mind, Zhang made his American dream come true.

【Story】Run Run Shaw: Watching More Movies than Anyone Else
In 1932, 25-year-old Shaw left for the United States to learn how to produce voiced movies. In Hollywood, he entered almost every cinema and watched more than dozens of movies in a row. He took watching movies as a window to learn world movie development. Every year, he would watch more than 700 movies. He once watched 9 movies in one day. He always watched movies to the end and analyzed them so that he could learn something from them or get some lessons if some were not so good.

【Story】Chen Din Hwa: From Layman to Expert
    In 1970, Chen Din Hwa set up Nan Fung Textiles Consolidated Ltd. He was not an expert himself at first, but his intelligence helped him become an expert from a layman. When he was informed that air spindles of higher efficiency had been invented he immediately sent his technicians to collect relevant information and analyze them. Having proved their technological value, he bought a great many air spindles, thus upgrading equipments in his enterprise. As a result of his great attention to technology, the output of his cotton cloth and cotton yarn has always ranked among the first in the industry.

【Story】Pao Yue-kong: Stick to Business Virtues and Succeed in Shipping
Pao Yue-kong bought a second-hand freighter, which he renamed “Golden Alpha”, and began his trip to a kingdom of shipping. He founded Hong Kong's World-Wide Shipping Group, which became by far the largest shipping company in the world. He then diversified his interests notably through the purchase of a controlling stake in the British-funded Wharf (Holdings). With his business talent, he took the opportunity in shipping industry after World War II and successfully created an empire of shipping.

【Story】Chen Shaw Hwa, Integrating Industry and Trade for Overseas Development
In learning business as a street vendor, Chen Shaw Hwa realized that only knowledge and hard work can help make China powerful. In 1964, he founded First International Trading Co., Ltd. in Hong Kong, mainly dealing with import and export of textile products. In order to promote sales of his products, he made colored cards by using jacquard cotton cloth. In 1970’s, he set up his own factories and branches in other parts of the world. In 1980’s, he extended his business to producing clothing and in 1990’s, he started his enterprises in mainland China.

2. Towering in Hong Kong and Taiwan
    Ningbo businessmen were good at seizing historical opportunities to develop their businesses. In Taiwan, they took advantage of the favorable policies and the unique natural resources to found enterprises concerning weaving & dyeing, cement, wool spinning and semiconductor. In Hong Kong, the acquisition of the Wharf (Holdings) typically demonstrated their great courage and talent. Their achievements can be well demonstrated by the emergence of two World Shipping Tycoons, two well-known education foundations, and the fact that four newly-discovered celestial bodies were named after Ningbonese.

【Story】Ann Tse Kai, A Guide to the Rise of Hong Kong Economy
Ann Tse Kai from Dinghai dedicated his early life to the textile industry in Hong Kong, and he chaired the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the Federation of Hong Kong Industries in the 1970s. Ann made painstaking efforts to resume the economic development of Hong Kong and his book International Trade Practice still plays an important role in today’s international trade study. He promoted Chinese characters to the world and compiled a textbook for foreigners to learn Chinese. Due to his great contribution to society, Ann has been regarded as a good example of loving our motherland and Hong Kong.

【Story】Wong Tim Yuen, A Philanthropist Baron of Textile Works
After World War II, T. Y. Wong served as general manger of China Textile Co., Ltd. He later moved to Hong Kong and set up Hong Kong Cotton Mill, and became a textile magnate. Now his arduous pioneering life has been recorded in the History of Hong Kong. He was also a generous philanthropist notably in educational projects, and helped set up Ningbo College and T. Y. Wong Hall in the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

【Story】Li Shuxiong: Tiding Over the Crisis through Cooperation
    When he arrived in Hong Kong from Shanghai, Li Shuxiong chaired Hsin Chiang Machinery Engineering Co., Ltd. Finding that many textile works were competing through lowering prices of their products and the whole textile industry was in hard time, Li tried every means to unite all 14 textile works together so that they could solve such problems as capital and raw materials. The founding of textile union helped the bouncing back of the industry in Hong Kong, which eventually became a mainstay of Hong Kong economy.

【Story】Wong Kwan Cheng: From King of North Point to Leader of Overseas Chinese
K.C. Wong arrived in Hong Kong in 1947. It was war time, and many entrepreneurs chose to leave Hong Kong. Believing Hong Kong would definitely resume its prosperity, Wong bought pieces of land of desolation but of favorable location on the Ming Yuen Hill and successfully developed Metropole Building and Hoi Kok Mansion, starting the real estate in Hong Kong and bringing along the prosperity of North Point, hence his honor as King of North Point. Later he chaired the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong) and became a prominent leader of overseas Chinese.

【Story】Chu Shou Shan: Baron of Chemical Industry in Taiwan
The Chus moved to Taiwan in 1947. Chu Shou Shan first set up a printing and dyeing company. A year later, he set up Southeast Alkali Incorporated Company. With “Earth” as its brand, he produced saleratus, ammonium and calcined soda. After making his well-known chemical products in Taiwan, Chu set up more chemical enterprises, which won him the “honor” of Baron of Chemicals.

【Story】Ming Yu Chang: A Baron of Cement through Perseverance
Chang started his enterprise in Taiwan by setting up a printing and dyeing company in 1950. He later set up Chia Ho Flour Mill and Chia Hsin Flour Mill. By originally putting flour into colored cloth bags instead of white ones, he stood out in the flour industry. In 1960’s, he invested in building Chia Hsin Edifice and IBM Building. In 1954, he took advantage of the rich limestone in Taiwan to set up the first private cement company in Taiwan——Chia Hsin Cement Co., Ltd, for which he was hailed Baron of Cement.

【Story】Ing Chang-ki—Venturing against Difficulty
In spring of 1963, 47-year-old Ing Chang-ki left Bank of Taiwan to start his business. In order to break Japanese monopoly on wool tops, Ing set up a wool top company as recommended by Taiwan Wool Manufacturing Consortia. In July, 1964, Ing set up Lee Hwa Wool Industrial Co., Ltd and later Lee Hwa Co. (Australia) Ltd, totally freeing themselves from the domination of Japanese companies. In April, 1979, Lee Hwa Wool Industrial Co., Ltd was listed on the stock market, his enterprise scaling on a new level.

【Story】Morris Chang--Father of Semiconductor in Taiwan
Dr. Morris Chang left for the USA to pursue his academic dream in 1949. He obtained MS in MIT and PhD in Stanford University. He stepped into semi-conductor industry simultaneously with Moore, father of semi-conductor and founder of Intel Corporation and he entered Texas Instrument with Jack Kirby, inventor of integrated circuit. In 1985, he resigned from his post in the USA and worked as President of Taiwan Industrial Technology Research Institute. In 1986, he set up Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd, and started OEM business. He immediately became leader of semi-conductor industry in Taiwan, and was thus hailed Father of Semiconductor in Taiwan.

3. Gaining the Initiative to Succeed in New Fields
Ningbo businessmen are good at initiating their prowess flexibly in the light of situations and play their significant roles in different fields all over the world.

【Story】Chao Kuang Piu and Pao Yue Kong: Seeking Opportunity in the Sky
With the advancement of economic development, Hong Kong truly became the center of Asian shipping industry, and Hong Kong Airport became one of the busiest in the world. K.P. Chao, Magnate of Hong Kong Wool Manufacturing, decided to invest in aircraft industry, which happened to coincide with the idea of Y.K. Pao. They joined hands to found Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, which soon got the license to provide passenger service not only to mainland China but also to Thailand, Japan and Malaysia, breaking the monopoly of British financial group in the field.

【Story】Shao Yanzhong—Great Success in the Rising Electronic Industry
Shao Yanzhong, having studied textile technology in Great Britain and the United States, went to teach textile technology in a technical college in Hong Kong. Yet in 1964, he ventured in the emerging electronics industry. He set up Micro Electronics Co. Ltd. and Yidian Semiconductor Co., Ltd, and became a famous industrialist in Hong Kong. His success stimulated the development of the emerging industries in Hong Kong, which led to a new order of economy there.

【Story】Pao Tsung Hsing: Developing in the Third World Countries
In 1946, T.H. Pao founded Youning Textile & Investment Co., Ltd. In 1960, he began his business in Africa and Southeast Asia by setting up Ghana Textile Mill. In 1965, Premier Zhou visited Africa and met T.H. Pao there. In 1967, Pao founded another two textile mills, Youbang and Tianma, which mainly produced loom stare and African calico. Pao’s textile group was undoubtedly the leader of textile industry in West Africa. Later on he started business in Indonesia, engaging mainly in textile industry, and he also set foot in electronics and leather goods.

【Story】Li Dak Sum—Advancing from Roxy Company to Carlton Hotel Group
In 1949, Li Dak Sum fathered Roxy Co., Ltd to start his enterprise in electric appliance industry. Li first worked as general agent of Sharp of Japan in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. He later created a joint venture with Sharp in Malaysia to produce such appliances as color TV sets. From the late 1980’s, Li started his new story. In less than ten years, Li set up the Carlton Hotel Group with seven large hotels in Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, making a successful transition from appliance industry to hotel industry.

【Story】Ying Xingjiu—From Small Gift Shop to Dazhong Group
In 1947, Ying went to America to start his business from a small gift store. Because of good management, he extended his business to three stores. In 1973, he purchased the top floor of World Trade Center, the highest skyscraper in the world, to start his Lucky Gift Company. He then purchased Fungtze Restaurant to start his business in catering industry. His Dazhong Group was amongst Top Ten Chinese Financial Groups in America. In July of 1979, Ying was elected as chairman of U.S.A. China Trade Association Inc., and became a reputed figure among overseas Chinese in New York.

4. A Galaxy of Talents
Ningbo Bang boasts a galaxy of talents, including not only business tycoons setting the trend in business and industry, but also social elites with solid financial background and strong pioneering spirit. Wen Rugen, Li Huili, Wei Shao Shang, Yao Xiangxing… All these are shining names in Chinese business and industrial worlds. With their industry and wisdom, they have obtained a prestigious position in their respective fields.

【Story】Li Sun Wenying—Achieving Excellence in a Small Trade
In 1953, Lee Sun Wenying and her husband, Tom Lee, set up Tom Lee Music Store. At the beginning, they managed with great difficulty in a small rented shop at Tsim Sha Tsui. Yet, the persistent Wenying vowed to “go on despite hardships”. Having no knowledge of piano playing and producing, she learned from books and made progress in practice. With over 50 years of efforts, Tom Lee Music has achieved ultimate excellence in piano, becoming the largest music instrument trader in Hong Kong and gaining the fame of “Hong Kong’s Lord of Musical Instruments”.
 
【Story】Wen Rugen—a Hong Kong Watch Tycoon Starting from Scratch
Wen went to Hong Kong in 1950 and got started as a mere hardware seller. Later he switched to the watch industry after careful investigation. In 1960, he founded the Wing Luen Hong Trading Co., Ltd, and became prospered for its good reputation. The company’s products, such as AROMA and CLOWAT, are now being sold across the world. Currently, Wing Luen Hang has developed itself into an international conglomerate, opening branches in Switzerland, Japan and Taiwan.

4    Stars Shining in the Sky
 
Like symbols that echo the stars in the industrial and commercial world, there are six planetoids that are named after Ningbonese in the broad and profound sky.
In 1990, an asteroid (international permanent number 2899) was named as R.R. Shaw Star.
In 1996, an asteroid (international permanent number 3812) was named as D.S. Li Star.
In 1998, an asteroid (international permanent number 4615) was named as K.C. Wong Star.
In 1998, an asteroid (international permanent number 4566) was named as G. P. Chao Star.
Two other asteroids that were named after native celebrities of Ningbo were J.Z. Tan Star and S.Z. Bei Star