Background
Li was born in Daqiao Town of Hengshan County, Hunan, on September 28, 1891. His father, Li Yinqiu (Chinese: 李吟秋), was a local official. In 1906, he went to study at Hongwen Academy with his father, in Japan.
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Li Li
Edit Profile李待琛
director educator engineer officer president chief
Education
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.
Career
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. 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.
Li appointed to the Currency Committee in 1930, which laid the foundation of introducing the Hong Kong Dollar. 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 the public life. Due to his collaboration with the Japanese, he was not reappointed to the Legislative Council after the war. 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.
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. 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. Father: Li Shek-pang (1863–1916)
Elder brothers: Li Koon-chun (1887–1966), Li Lan-sang (1900–69)
Younger brother Li Chok-chung, Li Tsok-lai
Eldest daughter: Doris Li Wai-yin, married to Fung Ping-wah
Second daughter: Li Wai-kuen, married to Chan Man-ngai
Eldest son: Li Fook-cheung, telecommunications engineer
Third son: Li Fook-tai, Secretary of the China Emporium
Fourth son: Li Fook-kuen (1920–93), Doctor
Fifth son: Li Fook-kow (1922–2011), Government official
Grandson: Andrew Li (b 1948), first Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal
Sixth son: Li Fook-pui, Manager of the Insurance branch of the Swire Group.
Membership
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. Second son: Li Fook-wo (1916–2014), Manager of the East Asia Bank and Member of the Legislative Council.
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Born
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Died
September 15, 1959 (aged 67) -
Nationality
China -
Ethnicity