Cao Guangbiao
Cao Guangbiao SBS (24 November 1917 – 12 March 2021), ancestral home in Panhuo Village, Xiaoying Town, Yin County, Ningbo, Zhejiang, was a Hong Kong textile magnate known as the "Felt King of Hong Kong" and the "World Felt King." He founded Hong Chou Felt Mill, Nanhai Felt Mill, Dragonair, Hong Macao International Limited, and Yongxin Group.[1]
Biography
Cao Guangbiao was born in Shanghai. At age 7 he entered Mingde Primary School and after classes helped in his father’s Hong Xiang felt shop on Hepan Street (his father also ran a clothing store on Jinling East Road). He excelled academically and entered Mingqiang Secondary School, but at 17 withdrew after his mother’s death and his father’s illness to manage the family business. He later attended Shanghai Youth Association Secondary School (1937–38). After World War II he opened felt branches in Taipei, Nanjing, and Chongqing, and built a felt factory in Shanghai producing Velotine for nationwide sale.
Cao died at 2:26 AM on 12 March 2021 at Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, aged 104.[2][3]
Family
His grandson‑in‑law Paul Heffner (age 55) reportedly committed suicide by charcoal burning in a parked car in Sai Kong on 1 January 2021 amid financial troubles.[4]
Honours
- 2002: Silver Bauhinia Star
- 2004: Dean’s Medallion, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Public Service
Cao served as Advisor on Hong Kong Affairs to the State Council and was a member of the 1st Election Committee for the Hong Kong SAR Government. His daughter, Cao Qizhen, served as President of the Legislative Council of Macau.
Asteroid Naming
In April 1999 the International Astronomical Union named asteroid 4566 “Cao Guangbiao” in his honour.
Racehorses
A Hong Kong Jockey Club member, Cao owned numerous horses—most prefixed “Wai,” including Wai Lee, Wai Fei, Wai Long, Wai Ling, Wai Kei, Wai Ling, Wai Shun, Wai Shing, Wai Fei Shing, Wai Fei Taat, Yongxin Victory, Wai Sui, Wai Lung, Wai Sun, Wai Sei, Wai Ming, Wai Kuen. His son Cao Qidong co‑owned “Bright Moon Shines” with Yu Pang‑chun and Tung Ng Ling‑ling.
See Also
- Cao Guangbiao Building, Yuquan Campus, Zhejiang University
- Tsinghua University Sports Complex
References
- ↑ “Textile Trade Promotion,” issue 284, CCPIT Textile Commission, November 2018.
- ↑ “Patriotic Hong Kong Tycoon Cao Guangbiao Dies at 101,” The Paper, 12 March 2021.
- ↑ “Dragonair Founder Cao Guangbiao Passes Away at 100,” Oriental Daily, 12 March 2021.
- ↑ “Former Grandson‑in‑law of Cao Guangbiao Dies by Charcoal Burning,” Ming Pao, 2 January 2021.
External Links
- Profile at CUHK Entrepreneurship Centre (archived)
- Owner search at Hong Kong Jockey Club (archived)
- Honorary Doctorates of Zhejiang University
- Hong Kong businesspeople
- Hong Kong racehorse owners and breeders
- People from Ningbo
- Hong Kong Ningbo community
- Ningbo business community
- Recipients of the Silver Bauhinia Star
- Cao family
- Cao surname
- Cathay Pacific people
- Hong Kong centenarians
- Male centenarians
- Honorary Citizens of Shanghai
- Flying service founders