Lin Baixin

Lim Por‑yen (21 December 1914 – 18 February 2005), commonly known as "Uncle Lim", was a Hong Kong garment and property tycoon. He founded the Li & Fung Group and served as Chairman of Asia Television from 1990 to 1998, later becoming its Permanent Honorary Chairman. He was appointed a Hong Kong Affairs Adviser in April 1993, a member of the HKSAR Preparatory Committee in December 1995, and a member of the Provisional Legislative Council Election Committee in November 1996.

Early life and career

Lim was born into a wealthy family; his father Lam Hin‑chi was a banker in Shantou. He studied in Guangzhou before moving to Hong Kong in 1931 and graduating from Kowloon’s Minsheng College in 1933. At age 21 in 1935, he apprenticed at Chia Sheng Bank in Shantou, then returned to Hong Kong via Macau in 1937 to start work as a street vendor. After World War II, in 1945 he co‑founded the Shing Fook Knitting Factory in Sham Shui Po. He established Li Fung Garments in 1947, exporting ready‑to‑wear clothing to Europe, the United States, and Africa, earning the nickname "King of Africa."

He donated generously to his alma mater Minsheng College, funding new gates in 1965 and a hall in 1982 named "Lim Por‑yen Hall."

Expansion into property

In 1970 he entered the real estate sector, investing in industrial buildings and listing Li & Fung in 1972. In 1987, the garment business was demerged and spun off as Li & Fung International, while the property arm became Li & Fung Development.

Taiwan textile investments

In 1975 he invested in Taiwan’s Dailai Textile in Sanxia and Minxing Textile in Taoyuan, pioneering performance denim production before withdrawing as equipment aged.

He and Hua Long Textile speculated in Minxing shares, eventually exiting profitably.

Acquisition of ATV

On 17 June 1988, he and New World Development’s Cheng Yu‑tong bought a controlling stake in Asia Television for HK$400 million. He then served as Chairman and later Permanent Honorary Chairman.

Business empire

At its peak, Lim’s interests spanned Taiwan textiles, retail and wholesale, property development and investment in Mainland China, hotels, telecommunications, media, and entertainment. Li & Fung International joined the Hang Seng Index in January 1989, peaking at HK$11 per share in November 1993 before declining and exiting the index in November 1994. In 1997 his son Lam Kin‑yue purchased the Furama Hotel in Central at HK$6.9 billion; the subsequent 1998 Asian financial crisis and property crash plunged the group into HK$6.2 billion debt.

Taiwan land scandal

Investigations by Taiwan authorities in 1997 into former Taipei County land chief Zhuang Yu‑kun’s corruption uncovered bribes exceeding NT$50 million from Lim related to Sanxia land acquisition. Lim was detained upon entering Taiwan in late 1997, released on NT$40 million bail, and in 1999 convicted of bribery and money laundering by Taipei District Court, receiving a 3 year, 2 month sentence—the highest bail in Taiwanese judicial history at the time. Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee‑hwa’s request for Lim’s release drew criticism as interference.

Later years

In 2003, Lim visited Beijing with a Hong Kong tycoon delegation to demonstrate his support for the Mainland, expressing a drift away from Taiwan relations.

Death

Lim was hospitalized with aspiration pneumonia in late 2004, developing complications leading to his death on 18 February 2005 at Queen Mary Hospital, aged 90. His funeral was held on 4 March 2005 at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in Quarry Bay, attended by many ATV staff and friends.

Honors and legacy

In 2005, asteroid 5539 was named "Lim Poyen" by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Nomenclature Committee in recognition of his philanthropy.

Personal life

Known for his frugality and work ethic, Lim worked seven days a week into his nineties. His favorite meal was McDonald’s Filet‑o‑Fish. He married four times and had multiple children and grandchildren, many active in business and public service.

Philanthropy

Lim donated over HK$600 million, including HK$300 million to Shantou and Chaozhou projects. In Hong Kong he funded research at the University of Hong Kong (HK$20 million for SARS research) and co‑founded Yan Chai Hospital and its affiliated secondary school. He also supported the establishment of Chiu Yang Pak Hin Primary School.

Horse racing

An avid racehorse owner, his horses included Flying Dancer, Chung Yi Po, Golden Chicken, and Yat Yun Kau Ting, winning major races such as the Hong Kong Invitation Cup (1988) and Champion Sprint (1987).

External links

• Li & Fung Group