Hong Kong philanthropist Tin Ka-ping was a man of true humility

Reading Time:1 minute

Chris Patten (left), then governor of Hong Kong, speaks to Tin Ka-ping in 1993 after the unveiling ceremony of the Tin Ka Ping Building at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as vice chancellor Charles Kao Kuen looks on. Tin, a plastic industry magnate, donated HK$25 million to the university for its academic research and development programmes. He died on July 10 at the age of 99. Photo: Handout

Published: 1:03am, 15 Aug 2018Updated: 1:02am, 15 Aug 2018

I lived in Hong Kong in the mid-90s. A place I love, though of course not every aspect, as we all know the complexities of Hong Kong life. I have visited many times through the years since. Reading the obituary about Tin Ka-ping, who died last month aged 99, actually moved me to write a short note (“Hong Kong mourns Tin Ka-ping, ‘a great educator’ and philanthropist”, July 11).

I was impressed with Tin’s philanthropy and his generous spirit, especially his efforts to promote education. We see few like him today in the greedy materialistic world we live in.

Here’s a quote from his obituary (from Tin’s speech during his baptism at age 94) that impressed me: “Frankly speaking, I’ve been acting out of my conscience all my life. I can say without blushing that I am a good person … But, a good person in people’s eyes also has emotions and desires and will also make mistakes. So, a good person in people’s eyes is still a sinner in God’s eyes.”

Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School, co-founded in 1987 with the charity Yan Oi Tong, is one of the schools funded by Tin Ka-ping’s self-named foundation. Photo: Handout

Charity begins at home for Hong Kong’s top philanthropists

His sentiments reflect what Paul said in Romans 2:15: “ … they are the very ones who demonstrate the matter of the law to be written in their hearts, while their conscience is bearing witness with them, and between their own thoughts they are being accused or even excused”. For a man well into his 90s to become a Christian is an indication of true humility.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x

Hong Kong philanthropist Tin Ka-ping was a man of true humility

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Charity begins at home for Hong Kong’s top philanthropists

Charity begins at home for Hong Kong’s top philanthropists