In Hope of fulfilling the Wishes of my Godparents Nina and Teddy Wang

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                                                                     Seventeen years after the passing of the late Chinachem Group C                                                                                 Chairlady Nina Wang, the Chinachem estate case continues to face                                                                               many obstacles. Nina and her husband Teddy Wang’s godson, Anthony                                                                       Cheung, is very pleased that the Secretary of Justice has finally                                                                                     fulfilled his duty and selected three highly distinguished individuals to                                                                         become supervisors of the Charitable Organization. In order to truly                                                                             attain his godparents’ wishes to contribute to society and the nation, he                                                                         hopes their estate can be properly utilized for the youth, the elderly and                                                                      the underprivileged.​

 (Anthony and his beloved Godmother, Nina Wang)

 

Only the Strongest Can Accept Failure Gracefully

Hong Kong has suffered many setbacks in recent years. Anthony believes that the Trust Fund has not fulfilled its duty to contribute more to society by providing new hope and financial assistant to those in need.  “Since I was four years old, my godparents treated me like their own son.” When my godmother was on her deathbed, I promised her that I would ensure her wishes will be properly honoured. At her funeral, I fulfilled my duty as her son. As the only family member who truly understood the wishes of both his Godparents, Anthony stated that he is the most qualified family member to provide constructive suggestions for the Trust Fund, to contribute to society in a more meaningful way.

He describes her as a very strong and determined woman. Even after facing her husband’s kidnapping and death, she continued to bear heavy responsibilities by upholding her business empire alone and caring for her employees and their families.

 

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Elegant Ladies and Great Achievements

Anthony greatly admires his godmother.

Like any great heroes in history, my Godfather was no exception. He became successful not only because he has business acumen or luck, he was blessed to have a wise and strong companion by his side.

One of the greatest moments in Chinese history taught us that when our Founding Father, Dr.  Sun Yat Sen, met Soong Chin-ling for the first time in Japan, he was experiencing the lowest point in his life. Therefore, if it weren’t for her love and encouragement, our Founding Father would never have managed to rebuild his strength, regain his knowledge and confidence, to help built what is modern China today.

Japan provided him with an asylum and a home, and reinvigorated him.  In the event that we have to go to war with our neighbor, and I hope it will never happen, I pray that my government will allow Japan a dignified surrender. It was the will of Heaven for choosing Japan as the meeting place. Anyone who cannot understand the work of God, does not deserve the right to run great wealth, to run my Godparent’s foundation. Our history taught us dignity and humility consequently we will never be like the arrogant West.

The second most important woman in our modern history is without doubt, Madam Xi.  Our First Lady stood firmly behind our President, enhancing his judgement to wisely rule over all of us. This is a blessing from heaven, reminding us that behind every great man, there is a strong pillar, a wise lady, always by his side.

Beauty and intelligence are congenital, class and elegance have to be cultivated. My Godfather may not have been nearly as powerful as our Founding Father and our current President, regardless I will always continue to admire and honour my godparents. I now recognize how privileged I am that they took me under their wings, they both loved me, taught me and brought me up like their own son. I am so blessed.

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Dissatisfaction with Past Management

Since Nina’s passing, Anthony has distanced himself from her siblings, because he believes that their management of the Trust Fund was very unsatisfactory. However, he expresses gratitude towards his friend Donald Choi, the former CEO of Chinachem Group. During his tenure, the governance committee released the managerial positions of Gong’s siblings. He further stated: “My godmother never intended for them to manage the Trust Fund.”

 

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The Trust Fund Should Focus on Youth Work

Anthony asserts that successfully operating the Trust Fund in our complex society today requires more than just ethics, empathy and good judgement. It will be a significant challenge” Exceptional management should not only possess expertise but also extraordinary capabilities and determination to make right decisions.”

He believes that understanding global environments and geopolitical developments is essential for modern philanthropist’s endeavours. While emphasizing a focus on youth work, he states, “Our future is in the hands of the younger generation! In 2017, when I assisted Judge Wu in his campaign for Chief Executive, I met with many young students. Over the past twenty years, inflation has been severe, but the starting salaries for most graduates has not increased accordingly leaving their job prospects unassertive. How can they dare to even start a family?

 

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Proposing Scholarships from the Trust Fund

He highlights that education is a crucial aspect of youth work. “In the past four years, I’ve travelled through Eastern Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East, meeting many talented students who cannot afford Hong Kong’s high tuition fees.” Despite challenges, Anthony remains hopeful about society’s future. He suggests that social elites, government officials, and business leaders should collaborate to nurture and attract more talent to Hong Kong. He suggested that the Trust Fund should provide scholarships or part-time opportunities for international students in order to attract the best talents from around the world. Anthony insists that different scholarships should be established by the Trust Fund or youth programs promoting care for vulnerable communities, especially for the toddlers and the elderly.

He reiterates that his godparents invested throughout mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. If they were alive today, they would have provided scholarships for students studying abroad. My Godparent always believed that Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and our Mother Country is one family. No one can change history. We are all one country.

 

 

Enhancing Elderly Quality of Life

In addition to youth work, Anthony believes that the Trust Fund should also address issues concerning the elderly. He expresses deep concern for the elderly individuals being treated disrespectfully in society. Anthony mentions when he learned that some elderly people in our community are being mistreated it absolutely broke his heart. The government can afford to spend billions on constructing community isolation facilities for COVID patients, why can’t the Trust Fund provide resources to upgrade these premises and living conditions, restoring the dignity of our suffering elderly?

 

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Willingness to Serve Society

When asked why he chose now to speak out now, Anthony explains that earlier last year he received support from five close friends; including Marjorie Yang, Chairman of the Esquel Group, senior legal advisor Larry Kwok, Hans Michael Jebsen, Chairman of Jebsen Group, Maria Tam, Committee Member for the Basic Law of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, and, Allan Zeman, Chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, all wrote letters to the Secretary for Justice endorsing his involvement with the Trust Fund.

He recalls a final meeting with his godmother in 2007 where she expressed in a signed written letter in her final wishes for him to participate with the Chinachem Foundation fulfilling her legacy by contributing to society.

Even though Anthony has been recommended by many esteemed individuals to join the Trust Fund, he emphasizes that after 17 years of his godmothers passing, he, as the only family member, can contribute much more by becoming an observing member of the fund. It would be more beneficial to providing insightful recommendations in line with his Godparent’s wishes. He believes that this will fulfil his godparent’s initial and truest intentions.  

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Seizing Opportunities from Belt and Road Initiative

Anthony draws parallels with Emperor Yongle’s reign during which economic and cultural exchanges flourished under Beijing’s relocation. He believes President Xi has provided Hong Kong with great opportunities through the Belt and Road Initiative. The Grand Canal brought stability and new wealth to our nation. The Belt and Road will unit our neighbours through commerce, cultural exchanges and trust, reconfirming our Great Nation’s contribution to our modern society. This is the Will of Heaven.

He asserts that “the Trust Fund must be part of this effort; all sectors must participate! How we push our city forward requires experimentation, but we must keep our doors open for new opportunities. Only economic innovation and stability will bring new opportunities for everyone and benefiting all.