Tan kah kee biography template

He was a prominent figure in the overseas Chinese community of Southeast Asia in the 20th century, and was responsible for gathering much support from the community to aid China in major events such as the Xinhai Revolution, the Kuomintang's Northern Expedition, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. Apart from donating most of his assets and earnings to aid China in those major events, Tan also helped to set up funds in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, and contributed heavily to the establishment of several schools in Southeast Asia and Fujian, including Xiamen University.

We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe. If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. Forgot your password? In Tan founded the Chiyu Banking Corporation in Hong Kongan intended to be a sustainable business with profits to be devoted to education in Xiamen and the rest of Fujian province in China.

After the Communist victory in China and the founding of the People's Republic of China inTan tried to return to Singapore in but was denied entry by the British colonial authorities concerned about communist influence in Singapore and Malaya. He then moved permanently to China and served in numerous positions in the Chinese Communist Party. Tan died in in Beijing and was given a state funeral by the Chinese government.

Many of his children maintained close relationship with or even married other prominent Chinese figures in Singapore. The schools in the Anglo-Chinese School family have houses named after Tan. Chongfu School 's Main Hall is named after him. The asteroid Chen Jiageng is named after him. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history.

Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons Wikidata item. Chinese businessman. They spoke a distinct language based essentially on Malay but laced liberally with Hokkien vernicular. Apparently, words of Hokkien origin have entered the vocabulary of not just Malay but English and Tagalog. From the ancient port of Zaytunnow called Chuanchew in Fujian.

This is actually a Hokkien word which is teh. The Chinese ship. As prominent businessmen, Tan Kah Kee and Lee Kong Chian not only assumed positions of social authority, they also used their influence to build institutions and networks both locally and abroad, from the huay kuan to institutions of higher learning, that would further their respective causes.

Rallying the People.

Tan kah kee biography template

Tan believed that for China to be strong, the different dialect groups or bang needed to work together. Even though his Hokkien community outnumbered the others and enjoyed more influence in the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce, he felt that all Chamber members should be treated equally. Tan could not convince the Chamber to adopt a more democratic approach during his lifetime, but his ability to rally others to his causes helped him to build the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan into a body that solidly supported education and promoted social development.

Supporting the Motherland. Besides building schools, he was instrumental in leading the Singapore Chinese community to support many relief efforts for China from the late s. InTan was elected to chair the South Seas China Relief Fund Union, which gathered not only financial resources but also sent volunteer drivers and mechanics to transport military and medical supplies on the Burma Road to China.

Rebuilding After the War. When Lee Kong Chian returned to Singapore after the Second World War, he was quickly tapped by the colonial government as an advisor on restoring the business sector, then as a member of the Advisory Council. These included attempts by the government to reduce financial support for Chinese schools, and a draft Federation of Malaya Constitution which discriminated against the Chinese in Malaya.

Lee believed in the value of social service and raising the standard of living, as the forces of nationalism and decolonisation were transforming Singapore and Malaya. They should put their faith in slow change. To improve social conditions, Lee led community initiatives to help those who were affected by disaster, most memorably in response to the Geylang fire in and the Bukit Ho Swee fire in He made personal donations, as well as visited the disaster sites to talk to victims and help with relief work.

Besides helping in times of crisis, Lee funded social organisations like hospitals sports facilities and childcare centres. Lee also contributed to institutions such as the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry — in particular, by donating to the construction of their buildings. Building Institutions That Last.

Lee Kong Chian continued to give tirelessly to social causes in the s and early s, in both public and private capacities. He was appointed Chairman of the Council of Social Service today known as the National Council of Social Service and also established the Lee Foundation to further the charitable causes that he supported. He is fondly remembered for having been the first to suggest to the colonial government to set up a free public library, and later contributed to the building of the first National Library at Stamford Road.

This approach helped to promote the importance of a shared social responsibility for good causes. Lee recognised the need to extend help beyond what he alone could do. By setting up the Lee Foundation, he created a system that would continue what he had started. It would provide consistent support to cultural, educational, charitable and public organisations, regardless of race or religion, through good and bad times —all in the tan kah kee biography template spirit of generosity that he exemplified.

That business collapsed inbut Tan Kah Kee went on to build an industrial empire ranging from rubber plantations and manufacturing, sawmills, canneries, real estate, import and export brokerage, ocean transport to — rice trading. The years — were the best for his enterprises when he amassed a huge fortune. He spent his fortune not on himself or his family, but on education, for education, not business, was his abiding concern.

He founded and financed several schools and other educational institutions in his native Jimei as well as in Singapore. In he set up Xiamen University where Lim Boon Keng was first Vice-chancellor, and maintained it for 16 years even during his financially difficult years, before the Chinese government took it over in Tan Kah Kee was held in high regard as community leader.

His role as community spokesman, however, ended after World War II when the Singapore Chinese community was split into the pro-Communist and pro-Kuomintang camps. He returned to China inwhere he held various posts under the Communist government. He died in Beijing inand was accorded a tan kah kee biography template funeral. From his memoirs one could see that he placed more importance on his involvement in education, social reform and politics than on his business undertakings, and the work is a most valuable source for the history of the Chinese community of that time.

It was first published in Singapore in by Tan Kah Kee himself and has since gone through several reprints. Tan Kah Kee became an overseas Chinese hero and legend not merely because of his phenomenal success in business, but chiefly because of what he did for the community, in Singapore and in China. His success derived not only from his enormous energy and drive, his sharp and analytical mind, his shrewdness and courage to take risks, but also from his firm belief in giving to others.

He was an example and inspiration to the younger talents he helped nurture. He is still an inspiration today. In the Nobel Laureate Prof C. Yang, Prof Samuel C. Taiyuan: Shanxi Guji chuban she, He Shuilin, Ed. Biographies of Singapore Chinese historical personalities in Chinese. The Memoirs of Tan Kah Kee. AHC Ward et al. Singapore: Singapore University Press, Yong Chin Fatt.

Singapore: Oxford University Press, Fuzhou, Tan Kah Kee International Society. The duo were not only enterprising businessmen but philanthropists who built schools and universities. Tan was born in the Fujian Province, China, in He emigrated to Singapore at the age of He penned The Memoirs of an Overseas Chinese of the Southern Ocean, which became a valuable resource on the history of overseas Chinese.

Tan died in His son-in-law Lee Kong Chian, who was born inalso became one of the wealthiest men in Southeast Asia between the s and s. He set up the Lee Foundation in Singapore inand in Malaya eight years later. Spokesman for the organising committee, Goh Lak Jin, said the event aims to capture the spirit of philanthropy and entrepreneurship of these pioneers and serve as an inspiration to youngsters.

The exhibition will be divided into four galleries. Gallery 2 will feature them as promoters of education and Gallery 3 will showcase their lives as community leaders. Gallery 4 will highlight their legacy. The public, especially students, are encouraged to attend the event which will include the screening of a documentary, old photographs and books on the two men sourced from China, Singapore and Malaysia.

There will also be a host of activities such as quizzes, dance and cultural performances by students of various schools, a calligraphy competition and a book fair. Tan Kah Kee was one of the most prominent ethnic chinese Malayans to financially support chinese efforts in the Second Sino-Japanese war which broke out in and organised many relief funds under his name.

Tan Kah Kee also exercised considerable effort against the then-governor of the Fujian province, Chen Yi, for perceived maladministration. Tan Kah Kee was also the de facto leader of the Singapore Chinese Community, serving as chairman for the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and helped organise the Hokkien clan association. After the Communist Victory in China, he tried to return to Singapore in but was denied entry by British colonial authority which was concerned about the Communist influence in Singapore and Malaya.

With the profit he made from his business empire, Mr Tan Kah Kee contributed greatly to the community, bothe in Malaya and his native Fujian Province. He was one of the founding membersof Tao Nan School. He set up the Jimei schools, which is now known as the Jimei university, in Today, it is one of the finest educational institutions for high-achievers and the gifted in the region.

Its reputation as a premier school is based not only on the academic excellence of the students but also their determination to excel in all other areas like leadership, sports and games, co-curricular activities, science research, and service to the community. The Chinese High School has been a school of choice amongst the best and the brightest.

This is not confined to only the high achieving students from Singapore but also those from countries like Malaysia and China. More than 3 decades later, the College remains committed to offering students an unrivalled holistic education. The College was ranked 1 st for the last 4 years of the Junior College Ranking Exercise, based on the university point system.

The lush green surroundings evokes a sense of tranquility. The sound of rustling bamboo swaying with the wind. The occasional tunes of chirping birds can be heard from the trees. A sense of calm prevails. But 66 years ago at this same place, the feelings felt by those who trudged up this same path to the building were vey much different.

The feelings of those present were that of the victors and the vanquished. The historical event was the signing of the surrender papers which took place on 15th Feb during World War II. Xiamen University was founded inthe first university in China to be established by an Overseas Chinese leader. Tan Kah-Kee was the pioneer of private education in China, spending his entire fortune in support of education in his native country.

He was the first President of the China Overseas Chinese League, and outstanding Overseas Chinese leader, a great patriot, and an eminent entrepreneur, educator and social activist. He was born into an Overseas Chinese family, and was sent to a private school at the age of 7, to be educated in the traditional Chinese manner. He took over the company inbut eventually it failed.

Inhe started his own business in rubber planting and processing. Tan Kah Kee weathered countless storms having lived through the World War 1 and 2. Yet, he was never stingy with his wealth or wisdom. A strong advocate for social reformation and politics, he was hailed as a community leader and philanthropist. Some of his notable contributions include:.

Interestingly, Tan Kah Kee never passed on his material wealth to any of his descendants. His frugality, work ethic and heart for society has transcended his lifetime to his descendants. In the s, his descendants started the Tan Kah Kee Foundation with the aim to foster his spirit in entrepreneurship and dedication to education. They are also working to publish a book on Tan Kah Kee descendants.

To date, he has over descendants spanning five generations living all over the world. Through the life of this legend, we see that it is possible for one to leave a meaningful legacy to future generations through value transfer alone. With the heritance app, you can easily leave a meaningful legacy with a values-driven approach! Download and try it out yourself now.