Liu Mengxiong
Lew Mon-hung [1] is a Hong Kong businessman. His ancestral hometown is Taishan, Guangdong. He settled in Chang’an, Dongguan during the Down to the Countryside Movement in 1968, and swam across the border to Hong Kong in 1973. Since then, he has been active in high-risk financial sectors such as futures and foreign exchange trading. He formerly served as a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a member of its Foreign Affairs Committee[2], as well as a member of the Hong Kong SAR Government's Commission on Strategic Development, Chairman of the Strategic Think Tank “Hundred Experts”, Chairman and Executive Director of the listed company Vision Values Holdings (0030.HK)[3], and Vice Chairman of Pearl Oriental Enterprises (0632.HK). He has long supported the Diaoyu Islands movement and voiced support for Zhao Lianhai, the founder of the Kidney Stone Babies advocacy group for victims of the melamine milk scandal in Mainland China.
Lew also served as a non-official advisor to the Central Policy Unit, Chairman of International Resources Group (formerly Smart Rich Energy Finance, 1051.HK), Chief Advisor of Chin Wah Shan International (Hong Kong) Ltd.—a major ethnic Chinese investment bank and brokerage firm—Director of the publishing agency of *Mirror Monthly*, and columnist for “Pointing to Rivers and Mountains” in both *Wen Wei Po* and *Oriental Daily*. He was a strong supporter of Leung Chun-ying in the 2012 Chief Executive election[4][5]. While he had frequently criticized pro-democracy figures in the past, after his fallout with Leung in 2013, he became a harsh critic of the fourth-term Hong Kong government and its policies.
Early Life
Lew was born in Taishan, Guangdong in 1948. During the Down to the Countryside Movement, he moved to Chang’an Town, Dongguan in 1968. In 1973, he swam across the border to Hong Kong.
Financial Career
After arriving in Hong Kong, Lew worked a series of labor jobs and then moved into financial speculation. He gained recognition in financial circles and earned the nickname "Futures King". He later became Vice Chairman of Pearl Oriental Enterprises and Chairman of Vision Values Holdings (formerly International Resources Group). He has been involved in finance, media, publishing, and energy sectors.
He also became a well-known columnist and political commentator, publishing works such as Dream and Struggle – My 40 Years in Hong Kong and The Soul of China – A Compilation of Essays by Lew Mon-hung.
Political Development
In 2008, Lew was appointed as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He also served on the Hong Kong SAR Government's Commission on Strategic Development and was a non-official advisor to the Central Policy Unit.
Events
Support for Leung Chun-ying
During the 2012 Hong Kong Chief Executive election, Lew strongly supported Leung Chun-ying and openly criticized Leung's rival Henry Tang. Lew published articles defending Leung and attacking Tang, boosting Leung's public image. After Leung’s election, Lew claimed credit for facilitating meetings between Leung and key figures in the Chinese central government, including then-Vice Premier Li Keqiang.
Flowery Restaurant Dinner Controversy
In June 2012, Lew was revealed to have attended a private dinner at the Flowery Restaurant in Wanchai alongside several high-level officials and businessmen. The event drew criticism over possible conflicts of interest and breaches of public accountability.
Fallout with Leung Chun-ying
In 2013, Lew became disillusioned with Leung Chun-ying, accusing him of betraying promises and sidelining those who helped him get elected. Lew published a number of critical articles and gave media interviews condemning Leung's administration. His relationship with the pro-establishment camp began to deteriorate.
Criminal Case
In August 2013, Lew was arrested and later charged by Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) with attempting to pervert the course of justice. He was accused of sending a handwritten letter to Leung Chun-ying urging him to interfere in a criminal investigation involving Lew. In February 2016, the court found Lew guilty and sentenced him to 18 months in prison.[6]
Lew was released from prison in 2017.
Political Views
Following his release, Lew became increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Hong Kong and Chinese governments. He criticized the National Security Law and expressed sympathy for pro-democracy protesters during the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests. He also published open letters condemning the governance style of both Leung Chun-ying and Carrie Lam.
Personal Life
Lew is married and has children. He holds an honorary doctorate in business administration from St. George's University, California.
Published Works
- Dream and Struggle – My 40 Years in Hong Kong
- The Soul of China – A Compilation of Essays by Lew Mon-hung
- Various columns in *Wen Wei Po*, *Oriental Daily*, and other Hong Kong publications
References
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%89%E5%A4%A2%E7%86%8A#cite_ref-1
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%89%E5%A4%A2%E7%86%8A#cite_ref-2
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%89%E5%A4%A2%E7%86%8A#cite_ref-3
- ↑ 劉夢熊簡介 Sina Finance, August 21, 2006
- ↑ 劉夢熊檔案 Wen Wei Po, November 17, 2007
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8A%89%E5%A4%A2%E7%86%8A#cite_ref-6
External links
- Smart Rich Energy Finance Group website (archived)
- Article on Lew Mon-hung on South China News Network (archived)