Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Ho Tung

Sir Robert Hotung

何東字曉生

(Ho Tung)

Sir Robert Hotung, rightly called Sir Robert, because of knightood conferred upon him by King George V. and his many decorations from the Chinese government, stands out among the prominent men of China, those of the past, present and the future. Born in Hongkong, December 22, 1862 he is the eldst member of a large family. He received most of his early education in Chinese schools, obtaining his training under free tuition, owing to the remarkable progress made and the ambition he showed for higher knowledge. He spent four years in the Hongkong Central School (now Queen's College) learning English, graduating with highest honors In his class. Following this he started his business career, holding a post on the indoor staff of the Maritime Customs, remaining in this position from 1878 to 1880. Later he resigned from this position and accepted the position of junior assistant to the compradore of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company, Ltd. While his remuneration was small his bonus at the end of the year compensated him enough to remain there, thus gaining valuable experienca. Later he accepted the position of the Chinese agency of the Hongkong Fire and Canton Insurance Companies, and acted as chief compradore for this firm for the next six years. Later owing to ill health he relinquished this position in favor of his brother, Ho Fook. Since that time, Sir Robert has won his way to the highest pinnacles of financial and business success in the Colony which gave him birth, and to-day he is a very rich man, so great indeed is his wealth that he can with truth be described as one of the great pillars of Hongkong's financial strength. His advice is frequently sought by the leading interests of the colony, and he has come to be recognized as one of the shrewdest business men Hongkong has ever known. He is a very large shareholder in the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company and other big concerns, while evidence of the value attached to his commercial insight is to be found in the fact that he is director of several prominent companies, including the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, the Hongkong Electric Company, the Hongkong Tramway Company, the Hongkong Land Investment Company, the Hongkong Reclamation Company, the Hongkong Canton and Macao Steamboat Company, the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, the Hongkong Fire Insurance Company, the Canton Insurance Office, and the Kam Hing Knitting Company.

Although Sir Robert's health has not permitted him to take as prominent a part as he would wish in public life and business activity, he is still to be found every day at his private office in the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Building, where he is always being consulted on matters of business policy and high finance. His own interests, too, as a very large property owner, naturally occupy much of his time. Besides this Sir Robert is often consulted regarding financial and industrial affairs of China by Chinese high officials and statesmen. He has also large personal interests of an industrial character in North China and Manchuria, this fact demonstrating the wide influence which he wields. Sir Robert's interests in public affairs have been many and varied. He is one of the largest benefactors of the Hongkong University's Endowment Fund, his gifts to this institution totaling no less a sum than $270,000. He presented to the Colony the Kowloon British School, the first civil school for European children in Hongkong, founded a scholarship that bears his name at Queen's College, and in many other directions has aided the cause of learning. Sir Robert was Justice of Peace for Hongkong and the honor of kinghthood was conferred upon him by King George in 1915. Many high decorations have been conferred upon him also by the Chinese government, from the late President Yuan Shih-kai on down to Presidents Li Yuan-hung, was conferred upon him the First-class Chia Ho with Grand Sash. As a man of knowledge Sir Robert has traded extensively in Europe and America as well as in Asiatic countries. His policy of life consists of straight-forwardness and cautiousness, and he attributes his success in life to honesty, foresight, carefulness, courtesy and perseverance. He is a keen believer in reform and abandonment of bad customs in China, as is shown by his public and private actions. Sir Robert has in late years interested himself in a solution of China's present political troubles and conferred with political leaders trying to bring about a peace conference on the part of the various contending elements.