Hong Kong political, financial luminaries show up for funeral of Vincent Cheng, first Chinese executive director of HSBC
- City leader John Lee hails Cheng’s contribution to public, while former chief executive Carrie Lam says banker’s life symbolises ‘the great Hong Kong story’
- Cheng, who died last month at age 74, made history as the first Chinese chairman of the British bank’s Asia-Pacific arm in 2005
Political heavyweights and influential bankers in Hong Kong turned up on Wednesday at a funeral to bid farewell to the first Chinese executive director of HSBC, Vincent Cheng Hoi-chuen.
A religious service was held in the morning at St John’s Cathedral, near HSBC’s headquarters.
Cheng died last month at the age of 74. He made history as the first Chinese chairman of the British bank’s Asia-Pacific arm in 2005, and he also held various roles in public service.
Among the guests joining Cheng’s family at the church were Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Executive Council member Moses Cheng Mo-chi, former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and his wife Selina Tsang Pou Siu-mei, as well as former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang.
Hong Kong’s current and former leaders also made contributions to a memorial booklet for the banker.
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“Cheng was not only an important figure in the financial sector, but was also well regarded in the public and social services sector,” Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wrote. “He contributed to the prosperity and progress in Hong Kong.”
Former leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said: “Without doubt, Vincent Cheng’s phenomenal rise to become the chairman of HSBC Asia-Pacific, the first local Chinese to hold this position, [reflected] his ability, vision, leadership and perseverance. It also symbolises the great Hong Kong story of those men and women who put in their best and strive to improve society.”
Cheng, who worked at HSBC for more than 30 years, also served as a member of the Legislative Council and Exco during British colonial rule. He was appointed as Beijing’s Hong Kong affairs adviser before the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
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Beijing’s liaison office in Hong Kong also recognised Cheng’s contributions to the city.
“He has made significant contributions to the smooth handover of Hong Kong, as well as the successful implementation of ‘one country, two systems’,” the representative said.
Top Chinese official Wang Yang, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the highest political advisory body in mainland China, also sent flowers to pay tribute to Cheng, who served as a member of the national committee of the 11th CPPCC.
Mark Tucker, HSBC’s group chairman, sent his condolences to Cheng’s family.
“He was also one of the most long-serving and committed directors of the bank, and his wisdom and guidance played a key part of the bank’s success over the decades,” he said in the memorial booklet.
Cheng joined HSBC in 1978 and rose through the ranks to take on a number of roles, such as chief economist, senior manager for economic and strategic research, chief financial officer and general manager, before becoming the first Chinese executive director of the British bank in 1995. He retired in 2011.
Lawmaker Reverend Canon Peter Koon Ho-ming, chaplain of St John’s Cathedral, led the funeral service.
Other mourners included leaders of financial institutions, such as co-chief executive of HSBC Asia-Pacific David Liao, Hui Xian Asset Management chairman Kam Hing-lam and chairman of Great Eagle Holdings Lo Ka-shui.
Hospital Authority chairman Henry Fan Hung-ling and Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) vice-chancellor Rocky Tuan Sung-chi were also among the prominent figures attending.
Other Legislative Council members included Michael Tien Puk-sun, Tommy Cheung Yu-yan and former opposition lawmaker James To Kun-sun.
Behind Cheng’s successful career lay a difficult start. He was diagnosed with polio at an early age.
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During his university years, he took part in social movements for the rights of blind workers. Upon graduation, Cheng also worked for the Hong Kong Society for the Blind.
Cheng also served the education field by leading tertiary institutions. He returned to his alma mater as the council chairman of CUHK in 2009, paving the way for the establishment of the university’s Shenzhen branch and the CUHK Medical Centre.
He also chaired the board of directors of the Hang Seng School of Commerce, the predecessor of Hang Seng University of Hong Kong.
