Dr Henry Fok Ying Tung was born in 1922 in Hong Kong to a poor family but in the last 40 years has built up a business empire which now comprises real estate, construction, hotels and restaurants, shipping, finance, and public transportation and one which has made him one of Hong Kong's top business tycoons. He additionally has extensive business interests in China.
He is also keenly interested in support for social welfare and is a director of the Community Chest. In 1984 he established the Fok Ying Tung Foundation Ltd with HK$1 billion, from which he plans to donate HK$100 million each year to China. It was a donation from this Foundation that enabled the University of Hong Kong to build the Henry Fok Swimming Pool at Sandy Bay. Similarly, another donation to the University of Hong Kong supported the construction of a new postgraduate hall of residence. In China over the past ten years, Dr Fok has donated more than HK$2 billion for activities such as education, regional development and medical facilities. He is now a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a Standing Committee member of the National People's Congress, a member of the Preliminary Working Committee for the Preparatory Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor. An avid sportsman himself, Dr Fok is a staunch champion of sports, making great contributions in financial and moral support for many events, activities and facilities in sports and physical education.
In recognition of his contributions, the University has resolved to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Social Sciences honoris causa.
