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Henry Tang

From Alfawiki

Henry Tang Ying‑yen GBM GBS JP (born 6 September 1952) is a Hong Kong businessman and politician. He served as Chief Secretary for Administration (2007–2011) and Financial Secretary (2003–2007) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He is currently a Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority.

Background

Henry Tang was born in Happy Valley, [1][2]Hong Kong, into a prominent textile family from Wuxi, Jiangsu. He attended Kowloon Sacred Heart Canossian English Primary School, St. Joseph’s College (primary), and Pui Ching Middle School in Hong Kong,[3] [4]and was baptized as a Baptist. In 1975, he graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Michigan, then briefly attended Yale University’s MSc program before returning to Hong Kong at his father’s request to help with the family business.

His political career began in 1991 when he was appointed to the Legislative Council by the Governor. After the 1997 handover, he was appointed to the Executive Council by the first Chief Executive, Tung Chee‑hwa.

In July 2002, Tang became Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, marking his transition from business to government. He was appointed Financial Secretary in August 2003 and served as Acting Chief Executive in May–June 2005. On 1 July 2007, he became Chief Secretary for Administration until his resignation on 30 September 2011 to run for Chief Executive in the 2012 election, in which he was defeated by Leung Chun‑ying.

In October 2013, he succeeded his father as Chairman of the Tang Chun‑ying Education Foundation. In May 2015, he became President of the Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Association.

Family background

Henry Tang’s grandfather, Tang Chun‑ying, was a leading textile industrialist in Wuxi and served as Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal CPPCC. His father, Tang Hsiang‑chien, moved the family business to Hong Kong in 1949. Tang Ying‑yen began working at the family’s Peninsula Knitting Factory after university, rising through the ranks until entering politics in 1991.

Political career

1991: Appointed to the Legislative Council 1995: Re‑elected to the Legislative Council for the Import and Export functional constituency; Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries 1997: Appointed to the Executive Council 2002–2003: Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology (left Liberal Party) 2003–2007: Financial Secretary 2005: Acting Chief Executive (25 May–21 June) 2007–2011: Chief Secretary for Administration (resigned 28 September 2011 to run for Chief Executive) 2012: Candidate in the Chief Executive election (defeated) 2013–present: CPPCC National Committee Standing Committee Member; West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Chairman; President, Hong Kong Jiangsu Community Association

Controversies

Henry Tang’s government tenure was marked by several high‑profile controversies, including the mismanagement of the “HarbourFest” event, insensitive remarks, the “Encyclopaedia Incident,” the “Property Privilege” remarks, the “siu le chat” fiasco, views on Tiananmen “Incident,” the “car crash” metaphor aimed at youth protests, handling of New Territories unauthorized structures, criticism of the Urban Renewal Authority, unauthorized basement at his residence, and disputed claims at the 2012 Chief Executive debates regarding riot police and tear gas.

Personal life

Married to Guo Yu‑chian since 1984, with one son and three daughters. He is a collector of fine wines, a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (director 1997–2002), and an enthusiast of classical and pop music. He holds honorary doctorates from several Hong Kong universities.

Honours

  • Gold Bauhinia Star (2000)
  • Grand Bauhinia Medal (2009)
  • Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2002)
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws, City University of Hong Kong (2003)
  • Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, The Open University of Hong Kong (2008)
  • Honorary Doctor of Laws, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (2009)

References

  1. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%94%90%E8%8B%B1%E5%B9%B4#cite_ref-4
  2. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%94%90%E8%8B%B1%E5%B9%B4#cite_ref-5
  3. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%94%90%E8%8B%B1%E5%B9%B4#cite_ref-7
  4. ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%94%90%E8%8B%B1%E5%B9%B4#cite_ref-8

External links

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