Lin Shikeng

Lin Shih‑keng (1931–2022‑07‑20) was a Han Chinese entrepreneur, philanthropist and political figure from Huilai County, Guangdong Province. He served on the 9th Guangdong Provincial Political Consultative Conference, was founder and lifelong chairman of the Hong Kong Ciyun Pavilion charity, vice‑chairman of Jieyang Municipal Political Consultative Conference, honorary director of the Hong Kong Chaozhou Chamber of Commerce, and principal of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals in Hong Kong.

Early life and career

Born into a farming family, Lin worked as a labourer in Huilai before emigrating to Hong Kong in 1961. There he established several leather and trading companies, later expanding into fur, real estate and investment, including ventures in the United States. In 1975 he became principal of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. In 1978 he invested in new businesses in Huilai. In 1993 he was elected vice‑chairman of the Jieyang Municipal Political Consultative Conference.

Lin passed away on 2022‑07‑20 at his family compound in Huilai.

Philanthropy

Lin was founder and lifelong honorary chairman of the Hong Kong Ciyun Pavilion charity. Through that organization he provided medical services and medicines in Hong Kong, and funded the establishment of Ciyun Red Cross Hospital and Ciyun Building at the Jieyang People’s Hospital in Guangdong, as well as Shih‑keng School in Kuitan, Huilai. In 2005 he was named among the “Top 100 Chinese Philanthropists” alongside Li Ka‑shing and others. It is reported he donated over HK$1 billion through Ciyun Pavilion.

Honours

Lin was selected among the “30 Chinese Philanthropists of 30 Years of Reform and Opening Up,” became an honorary citizen of Jieyang City, honorary president of the Hong Kong Huilai Association, and recipient of Jieyang Charity Lotus Special Award.

Family

His grandfather Lin Yanjie was a Qing‑era scholar who taught locally. His father Lin Sichuan ran a grocery store. His mother was Yu Yimei. Lin had two older brothers and two older sisters; one brother was sold in childhood and one sister died in famine.

Lin married Guo Yuying and had eight children. Eldest son Lin Jinzhao is chairman of Hong Kong Qishi Group. Sixth child Lin Zijian is director and international vice‑president of Qishi Group, former Jieyang and Heilongjiang political consultative committee member, adviser to Jieyang CPPCC, and winner of the Hong Kong Young Industrialist Award. Other sons, including Lin Renzi, serve on Qishi affiliate boards.