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Cai Zhiming

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Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 7 July 202514 sources

Francis Choi born in Shanghai, ancestral home in Xianmei Village, Xinheng Town, Jieyang County, Guangdong Province, is a Hong Kong businessman, major shareholder of Halewinner Watches Group, chairman of Early Light International Group, mainly engaged in the toy industry, real estate investment, and investment. He is also involved in hotel and real estate development in mainland China and is known as the "King of Toys."

Biography

Francis Choi settled in Hong Kong at the age of five[1]. He studied at Lok Tao School in the squatter area of Ho Man Tin (Primary Six graduate in 1960)[2], San Fat Secondary School[3], and Bethel High School[4].

After graduating from secondary school sixth form in 1969, he worked as a salesman in a toy factory. In 1972, he founded Early Light Industrial Co., Ltd. He later continued his studies, obtaining bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from universities in the United Kingdom and the United States (Newport). In 2001, he received a doctorate in management from Harbin Institute of Technology[5].

In the early years, Francis Choi represented and manufactured Snoopy toys. In 1994, he acquired a U.S. die-cast toy car company and established Early Light International Group. By 2005, his assets exceeded HK$8 billion. According to a 2012 Forbes interview with his son Choi Kar-chan, Early Light Group invested HK$1.6 billion in its watch business, Halewinner Watches Group, which accounts for about 5% of the family's overall business. Therefore, it is estimated that the family's total assets reached at least HK$32 billion[6].

Francis Choi owns over 30 properties, including residential, industrial, commercial buildings, and hotels. In 2003, he invested in Wai Yuen Tong (already sold), and in 2005, he invested in Town Health International Holdings Limited, entering the healthcare market. In 2006, his daughter Choi Kar-yee became Executive Director of Hong Kong Health Check.

Francis Choi is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Honorary President of the Hong Kong Toys Manufacturers' Association.

Cao Guizi once sought a HK$2 billion loan from Francis Choi but was rejected. At the time, Choi stated that he would not lend the money and revealed that his wealth exceeded HK$50 billion. Choi also invested in Kaisa Group to help the company overcome its financial crisis[7][8].

Personal Life

Francis Choi loves cars, owning over 30 vehicles, including Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini (including a Reventón), Mercedes-Benz, and others. He also possesses numerous special car license plates, such as "138," "148," "9394," etc. He is also a watch collector.

Francis Choi, along with Choi Carmen, Choi Kar-yee, and Choi Kar-chan, are members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. His racehorses include Red Sun (CA046), Golden Sun (CD386), Silver Sun, Good Sun, Spring Day, Bright Sun, Pretty Sun, Fire Sun, Stunning Sun, Mighty Steed, King Kid, Jumbo, Car God, Red Sun (CV145), Golden Sun (CV187), Stunning Explosion, Universe Car God (co-owned with Donnie Yen and Choi Kar-chan), Earth Car God, and Storm Kid.

Family

Francis Choi is married to Lee Wai-lei and has one son and three daughters. His eldest daughter Choi Carmen and third daughter Choi Kar-yee manage the toy and Town Health International businesses, respectively.

On July 5, 2003, at 1:25 PM, his second daughter Choi Kar-wing was found by Choi Kar-chan at their luxury residence at 3 Hung Kiu Lane, Kau To Shan, Sha Tin, dead from charcoal-burning suicide. She had no pulse or breathing when discovered and was confirmed dead for some time. No suicide note was left. Francis Choi stated she had suffered from depression for years[9].

His eldest daughter Choi Carmen married Ma Hong-ming, son of Ma Kai-cheung, founder of Tai Sang Group, on December 27, 2007. On May 17, 2008, five and a half months after the wedding, she gave birth to a daughter, Ngoi-kiu[10][11]. On March 5, 2021, Choi Carmen and Ma Hong-ming announced their divorce[12].

His third daughter Choi Kar-yee married designer Chan Hon-chung in 2012. His only son Choi Kar-chan is married to Weng Yuan-yuan. Francis Choi has eight grandchildren, including two pairs of twins.

Properties Owned

  • Ground to 3rd floor, 67-69 Argyle Street, Mong Kok (25,016 sq ft) purchased for HK$204 million in 2002
  • Duplex units A & B, top floor, One Harbour Green (8,250 sq ft)[13][14]
  • 1 Hung Kiu Lane, Kau To Shan
  • 3 Hung Kiu Lane, Kau To Shan
  • 5 Hung Kiu Lane, Kau To Shan
  • 6 Hung Kiu Lane, Kau To Shan
  • House in South Garden, Kau To Shan (Purchased for HK$100 million in 2004)
  • House in Po Chung Court, Kau To Shan (Purchased for HK$100 million in 1998)
  • Houses No.7 and No.10, Phase 1, Po Chui Villa, Ma Ying Path, Kau To Shan
  • 26A Shouson Hill Road (Purchased for HK$120 million in 2015)
  • Entire Block, Tower 10, Phase 1, Providence Bay, plus 19 parking spaces (Purchased for HK$303 million)
  • Penthouse, Unit A, 10th Floor, Tower 8, Providence Bay (Purchased for HK$66.53 million in 2013)
  • Kowloon City Plaza (Purchased for HK$1.48 billion)
  • Russell Street, Causeway Bay, 2000 Plaza
  • Exchange Centre, Sydney, Australia (Purchased for HK$1.96 billion or A$340 million)
  • Fook Hing Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui East (Purchased for HK$450 million in 2001)
  • On Tat Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui East (Purchased for HK$730 million in 2008)
  • Entire Block B, Cathay Building, Causeway Bay (Purchased for HK$198 million in 2004)
  • Residential Land, Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun
  • 14th Floor, Wing On House, 71 Des Voeux Road Central (Purchased for HK$347 million in 2023)
  • Wang On Building, Argyle Street, Mong Kok

Sources

References

  1. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-suicide_1-0
  2. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-2
  3. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-3
  4. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-4
  5. ↑ Regal Hotels International Holdings Limited Francis Choi's Profile
  6. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-6
  7. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-7
  8. ↑ Toy Tycoon Francis Choi Takes Over Kaisa Group Shares, Supports Guo Yingcheng in Times of Trouble
  9. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-9
  10. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-10
  11. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-11
  12. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-12
  13. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-13
  14. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%94%A1%E5%BF%97%E6%98%8E#cite_ref-14

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