Hu Baiquan

P. C. Woo, CBE, JP (Woo Pak-chuen, born January 3, 1910 – died April 30, 2008), was a Hong Kong lawyer. He founded the law firm P. C. Woo & Co. in 1945 and served as Chairman of Kowloon Motor Bus, Yakult Hong Kong, and Director of Liu Chong Hing Bank. He was an elected member of the Urban Council and served as an unofficial member of both the Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong. From 1972 to 1974, he was the Senior Unofficial Member of the Legislative Council.

Retired Hong Kong entertainer Nancy Sit was acquainted with P. C. Woo in his earlier years. She claimed they had a long-standing intimate relationship and six children together, although she held no official title as his wife. P. C. Woo had a legal spouse. In his later years, due to deteriorating health, he was hospitalized long-term starting in 2004. Nancy Sit stated she was barred from visiting by Woo's legal wife's children. The court issued an injunction prohibiting her from visiting Woo, and the issue remained unresolved.

Biography

Early Life

Woo was born on January 3, 1910, in Hong Kong. His ancestral home was in Sanshui, Foshan, Guangdong Province. His grandfather was Woo Lai-yuen, and his father, Woo Hei-tong, JP, was a wealthy businessman who served as the comprador for Swire and co-founded an inland shipping business with Sir Robert Hotung. Woo Hei-tong was also director of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. He made fortunes from investments in Green Island Cement and The Hongkong Hotel in the 1930s. However, on June 17, 1932, he and his son Woo Pak-luk were shot and killed by his nephew Chan Lam-fuk.

The inheritance left by Woo Hei-tong was estimated at HKD 7 million at that time and was kept in a trust as per his wishes. By 2004, the fund had grown to HKD 3.5 billion, of which Woo held a one-tenth share (approximately HKD 350 million).

Woo Hei-tong had six sons and five daughters. P. C. Woo was the son of his second concubine. His younger brother Woo Pak-fu, JP (1911–1976), was a medical doctor and elected member of the Urban Council (1956–1969). His nephew, Dr. Woo Kin-wai, was the husband of Civic Party former leader Audrey Eu. Woo's sister Woo Tsz-ha was the mother of David Li and Arthur Li, making Woo their maternal uncle.

Woo entered St. Joseph's College in 1924 and interned at Woo Hang-kam Solicitors after graduating in 1928. He then went to the UK to study at Ellis & Co. and enrolled at King's College, University of London (1934–1937), earning a law degree in 1937 and a PhD in Law in 1939 with a thesis on "A Comparative Study of English and Chinese Family Law." That same year, he qualified as a solicitor in the UK, becoming the first Hong Kong person to receive a law doctorate. He returned to Hong Kong in 1940 and started practicing. In 1945, he founded P. C. Woo & Co. The firm initially had seven staff and grew to 100 staff and 13 partners by 2008.

Public Service Career

Woo was a key member and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Reform Club. He was elected to the Urban Council in 1953 and re-elected in 1955 but failed to win a third term in 1957. During his time, he chaired various subcommittees including housing, swimming pools, trade, and legislative reform.

He held many other public roles such as member of the Law Reform Committee, Supreme Court Rules Committee, Public Service Commission, and Medical Development and Planning Committee. From 1964 to 1974, Woo served as an unofficial Legislative Council member. He chaired the Finance Committee and Personnel Committee and became Senior Unofficial Member from 1972 to 1974. In 1972, Governor Sir Murray MacLehose appointed him to the Executive Council, where he served until 1976. Upon retirement, he was granted the lifelong title "The Honourable."

He also served as President of the St. Joseph's College Alumni Association, Cycling Association, Children's Placement Association, Chairman of the Public Libraries Committee, Chairman of the Children's Protection Association, Member of the Higher Education Advisory Committee, Chairman of the Education Commission, Chairman of the Telephone Services Advisory Committee, and Member of the Taxation Rules Committee.

From 1959 to 1960, he served as President of the Law Society of Hong Kong and from 1968 to 1977, as Director of the Civil Aid Service.

He played a key role in the Chinese University of Hong Kong and its United College. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees (1972–1983) and later served as a permanent council member (1988–2008). He also became a life council member of the University of Hong Kong starting December 5, 1988.

In recognition of his public service, Woo was appointed Justice of the Peace on June 6, 1955, and later awarded the OBE (1963) and CBE (1973).

Business Career

In business, Woo served as Non-Executive Director of Kowloon Motor Bus and Independent Non-Executive Director of Liu Chong Hing Bank. He also chaired Yakult Hong Kong, Miramar Hotel and Investment Co., Heung Lung Real Estate, and held directorships at Sun Hung Kai Securities, Swire Properties, and New Town Development.

Later Years

Woo gradually withdrew from public life and suffered a heart attack in 2002. His health declined in 2004, forcing his resignation from KMB and Liu Chong Hing Bank. He remained hospitalized at Queen Mary Hospital until his death on April 30, 2008, aged 98. A private memorial was held on May 3, and he was cremated at Cape Collinson Crematorium.

Family

Woo married his first wife Fung Poon-fong, who died on December 17, 1995. The couple only formally registered their marriage in 1978. They had two daughters and a son: Woo Sau-man, Woo Lai-wai, and Woo Sau-ha.

In 1951, Woo met actress Nancy Sit and started a relationship in 1953. Though aware of his existing marriage, Sit lived with Woo in Happy Valley. She claimed they had six children: Woo Lin-na, Woo Lai-yin, Woo Lai-ming, Woo Wan-ni, Woo Lai-san, and Woo Lai-chi. Their eldest daughter, Woo Lin-na, held positions at KMB and Citybus as Company Secretary, where she was described as Woo's daughter.

Sit claimed Woo gave her HKD 100,000 monthly for living expenses. In 1978, they hosted a wedding banquet for their goddaughter Wong Wing-lun as a "couple," which led to Woo's legal wife seeking a court injunction.

Sit also stated that Woo agreed in 1980 to let her receive interest from his father's estate and that their six children were entitled to HKD 230 million from the family trust.

Following Woo's hospitalization in 2004, Sit was mostly barred from visiting and claimed Woo once called her from the hospital, expressing he felt imprisoned and needed help.

Woo was also linked with Shanghai singer Han Jingqing and socialite Leung Fung, but Sit insisted that she was Woo’s true love.

Woo was an active Chinese member of the Freemasons in Hong Kong.

Honors

Decorations

• Justice of the Peace (June 6, 1955)
• Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) (1963)
• Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (1973)

Honorary Degrees

• Honorary Doctor of Laws, Chinese University of Hong Kong (1974)

Named in His Honour

• Pak Chuen Hall: A student hostel at United College, Chinese University of Hong Kong.

See Also

• Senior Unofficial Member
• United College
• Nancy Sit

External Links

• P. C. Woo & Co. (archived)