Huang Sheng

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 21 July 2025

Wong Tat-kuen**, JP (Wong Tat-kuen, 1827 – 5 August 1902), childhood name **Shing**, style name **Ping-fu**, better known as **Wong Shing**, was a Hong Kong scholar, media worker, businessman, and politician. Wong studied at the Morrison Memorial School founded by the London Missionary Society. He was later selected, along with Yung Wing and Huang Kuan, to study in the United States. Upon returning to Hong Kong, he worked in printing and translation for the China Mail and Ying Wa College press, co-founded the *Chinese Serial*, *Chinese Mail*, and *Universal Circulating Herald*, and collaborated with Wang Tao on translating *A Brief Discussion on Firearms*.

Wong Shing was the first Chinese person officially recognized by the government as a juror. In 1870, he helped establish Tung Wah Hospital and later assisted the Qing government in leading the second group of students abroad to the United States. In December 1883, he became the first Chinese person appointed as a Justice of the Peace. From 1884 to 1890, he served as an unofficial member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong—the second Chinese person to hold such a position—and was also among the first Chinese unofficial members appointed to the Sanitary Board (later the Urban Council). Wong also made a fortune through land investments and was one of the earliest Chinese merchants in Hong Kong.

Biography

Early Overseas Study

Wong Shing was born in 1827 in Xiangshan County, Guangdong. In 1841, he moved to nearby Macau to attend the Morrison Memorial School. His classmates included Yung Wing, Huang Kuan, and Tang Ting-shu, all of whom later became influential figures in the late Qing period.

In 1846, school principal Rev. Samuel Robbins Brown decided to return to the United States due to health issues. With external sponsorship, he intended to take a few outstanding students to the U.S. for formal Western education. Upon announcement, Yung Wing was the first to stand up, followed by Wong Shing and then Huang Kuan.

They departed Shanghai on 4 January 1847 and arrived in the U.S. on 12 April. Wong attended Monson Academy in Massachusetts but stayed for only a year due to health issues and returned to Hong Kong in 1848. He was baptized as a Christian before leaving for the U.S. and later became affiliated with the London Missionary Society.

Return and Development

After returning to Hong Kong, Wong was employed by the China Mail, thanks to its founder Andrew Shortrede, who had sponsored his U.S. studies. There, he learned printing and later took part in editorial work. In 1853, he was appointed supervisor of the Ying Wa College press, helping publish *The Chinese Serial* and assisting Rev. James Legge in translating *The Four Books* into English. Legge acknowledged Wong’s help in the preface of the 1861 edition.

In 1858, he became the first Chinese person appointed as a juror. The Supreme Court even offered him a monthly salary of $120 to serve as a court translator. Although Ying Wa College paid only $30/month, Wong declined the court offer, choosing instead to continue his church service.

Through Legge, Wong met Wang Tao, who had fled to Hong Kong. Together they translated *A Brief Discussion on Firearms*, introducing Western weapons and technologies. This book was presented to Qing officials and gained recognition.

With Ding Richang’s recommendation, Wong taught English at the Tongwen Guan in Shanghai from 1864. In 1867, he returned to Hong Kong and resumed work at the Ying Wa College press.

Newspaper Founding

Leveraging his printing and editorial experience, Wong co-founded several newspapers. In 1858, he and Wu Tingfang launched the *Chinese and Foreign Gazette*, the first fully Chinese-language newspaper in Hong Kong.

In April 1872, Wong co-founded the *Chinese Mail* with editor Chan Aiting. It became the second Chinese newspaper in Hong Kong.

After Ying Wa College ceased operations in 1871, Wong and Wang Tao invested $10,000 in printing equipment to establish the Chung Hwa Printing Bureau. Wang Tao then founded the *Universal Circulating Herald* in 1874, printed by the bureau. Though Wong supported it, he was in the U.S. at the time, so Wang Tao managed the paper. It was the first Chinese-owned and operated newspaper in Hong Kong and remained popular until its closure in 1947.

Promoting Modernization

In 1873, the Qing government acquired two sets of printing type from Ying Wa College for use in the Imperial Printing Office in Beijing. Wong personally transported the type to the Zongli Yamen, laying the foundation for Western-style printing in Beijing.

That year, he also led the second group of Chinese students to the U.S., invited by supervisors Chen Lanbin and Yung Wing. He was later appointed translator at the Qing embassy in the U.S. and returned to Hong Kong in 1876, promoted to Prefect and awarded the Flower Plume insignia.

Public Service Career

In 1858, Wong became the first Chinese juror under Governor Sir Richard MacDonnell. In 1870, he helped found Tung Wah Hospital and later served as its chairman (1886–1887).

In 1876, he joined the Government Chinese Language Examination Committee. In 1883, he was granted British nationality and appointed Justice of the Peace.

Hong Kong’s first Chinese Legislative Council member was Wu Tingfang (1880–1882), who served only temporarily. Governor Sir George Bowen later proposed a permanent Chinese seat, leading to legislative reforms in 1884. Wong was chosen for his bilingual skills, Christianity, and strong ties to both Chinese and Western communities.

Though his initial appointment faced technical issues, British council member Thomas Jackson vacated his seat to resolve the matter. In 1888, Wong and Dr. Ho Kai were appointed to the Sanitary Board as its first Chinese members. Wong resigned from the Legislative Council in 1890 due to business commitments and was succeeded by Dr. Ho Kai.

Later Years

Wong continued as an unofficial member of the Sanitary Board until 1892. Despite earlier land investments, he kept rents low and led a modest life, earning public respect.

Wong died on the evening of 5 August 1902 at his home on Peel Street, aged 75. His coffin, escorted by police, was taken aboard the ship "Heung Shan" and returned to his ancestral hometown for burial.

Family

Wong’s eldest daughter married Sir Boshan Wei Yuk in 1872, who served as an unofficial Legislative Council member (1896–1917). Wong had five sons:

Wong Wing-ching: Qing official, Acting Daotai of Jiangsu.
Wong Wing-sheung: Nominated Tongzhi, co-founder of the Revive China Society (1894), assisted Sun Yat-sen in the 1895 Guangzhou uprising. Died in exile in Macau.
Wong Wing-yan: Qing candidate-grade Battalion Commander.
Wong Wing-yee
Wong Wing-tak

Some descendants were educated abroad and worked in various colonial departments and foreign companies such as HSBC.

Career Summary

Honors

Promoted to Prefect, awarded Flower Plume (1876)
Justice of the Peace (29 December 1883)

Selected Works

*A Brief Discussion on Firearms*, 1862 (Translated by Wong Shing, authored by Wang Tao)
- Main Edition:
- Shanghai: Hongwen Bookstore, Guangxu 23 (1897)

References

Chinese Sources

"Obituary", *Chinese Mail*, 6 August 1902.
"Funeral Notice", *Chinese Mail*, 7 August 1902.
"Biography of Mr. Wong Ping-fu", *Chinese Mail*, 7 August 1902.
Chan Hok-lim, "Wong Shing – A Pioneer of Modern Chinese Industrialization", *Chung Chi Journal*, Vol. 3 No. 2, May 1964.
Wong Chun-kuen, *Hong Kong and the Qing Modernization Movement*, Chu Hai College, 1980.
Wang Gungwu (Ed.), *New History of Hong Kong (Vol. 1)*, Joint Publishing (HK), 1997.
Zhang Shudong et al., "Chapter 2: Printing", *Comprehensive History of Chinese Printing*, 1998.
Shi Jinghuan, Wang Lixin, *Christian Education and Chinese Intellectuals*, Fujian Education Press, 1998.
"Wong Shing: Pioneer of Modern Publishing", Zhongshan Net, 2004.
"Wong Shing: Founder of China's Modern Printing Industry", Zhongshan Net, 2007.
Leung Ping-wah, *Sun Yat-sen Relics and the 1911 Revolution*, 2008.
"Our History", Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, 2008.
Li Donghai (Ed.), *Hong Kong Justices of the Peace and Ombudsmen*, 2002.

English Sources

"(L.S.) G. F. Bowen", 29 December 1883.
"Government Notification", 29 December 1883.
"Issue 25327", *London Gazette*, 11 March 1884, p. 38.
"Local and General", *The China Mail*, 3 March 1890.
"Legislative Council", 21 July 1890.
*Paper Respecting the Reconstitution of the Sanitary Board*, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, 1894.
T. H. Whitehead, *Report on the Tung Wah Hospital*, 1896.
"Death of a Well-known Chinaman", *The China Mail*, 7 August 1902.
*Who Was Who 1916–1928*, A & C Black, 1950.
G. B. Endacott, *Government and People in Hong Kong, 1841–1962*, HKU Press, 1964.
T. C. Cheng, "Chinese Unofficial Members of the Legislative and Executive Councils in Hong Kong up to 1941", *RASHK Journal*, Vol. 9, 1969.
Carl T. Smith, "The Emergence of a Chinese Elite in Hong Kong", *RASHK Journal*, Vol. 11, 1971.
John Mark Carroll, *A Concise History of Hong Kong*, Rowman & Littlefield, 2007.
Yung Wing, *My Life in China and America*, Read Books, 2007.

External Links

*Christian Education and Chinese Intellectuals*
*My Life in China and America* (aka *Westward Journey Record*) by Yung Wing