Hu Wenhan
James Wu Man-hon [1], originally named Wu Ying-chim, was the eldest son of Hong Kong tycoon Wu Chung, elder brother of Gordon Wu, and a member of the Wu Chung family. He served as the Honorary President of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Permanent Honorary President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, and Honorary Chairman of Hopewell Holdings Limited.[2]
Biography
James Wu was born on November 28, 1920[1][3]. He received early education at home, studied at Tun Mui School in Hong Kong, and later attended King's College (1934–1940)[3][1]. From 1940 to 1941, he entered the University of Hong Kong studying engineering[1][3]. After the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong, he moved to mainland China and completed his studies at the College of Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University (1941–1944)[1][3], earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering[1].
In 1945, he assisted his father in restarting the family business and founded enterprises in the hotel, film, theatre, real estate, air conditioning, and electrical appliance manufacturing industries. He served as President of the Rotary Club of Eastern Hong Kong, First Director of the Po Leung Kuk, Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Industrial Training Council, Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Vice President and Permanent Honorary President of the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong, Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors and Chairman of the Staff Appointment Committee of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, and Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. He led the Hong Kong delegation five times to participate in various industrial and resources committee meetings of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East. He was Chairman of Hopewell Holdings Limited and Chairman of Witco Industrial Limited.
From the 1960s onward, he held numerous public offices, including positions in the Urban Council, Legislative Council, Trade Development Council, Vocational Training Council, and Productivity Council. In 1968, he was appointed as a member of the Urban Council; in 1972, he became a member of the Legislative Council. In 1974, he was awarded the OBE. He was also a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. From 1975 to 1980, he served as Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries and was later appointed Honorary President. In 1978, he led the Federation’s “Buy Hong Kong Products” campaign and launched the Hong Kong Quality Product initiative (Q-mark).
In 1991, he was conferred Honorary Citizenship of Guangzhou and awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree by the Hong Kong Polytechnic. In 1992, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Hong Kong.
See also
- Wu Chung family
- Gordon Wu
- Victor Wu
References
- Wu surname
- Wu Chung family
- People from Huadu
- Tun Mui School alumni
- King's College alumni
- Sun Yat-sen University alumni
- University of Hong Kong alumni
- Former Legislative Council members of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong businesspeople
- Hopewell Holdings
- Honorary degree recipients of the University of Hong Kong
- Honorary degree recipients of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University