Lo Cheung-shiu
Lo Cheung-shiu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1867 Hong Kong |
| Died | 1934-06-20 Mid-Levels, Hong Kong |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, comprador, philanthropist |
| Known for | Comprador for Jardine, Matheson & Co.; founder of Dayou Bank; director of Tung Wah Hospital; vice-chairman of Chinese General Chamber of Commerce |
Lo Cheung-shiu () (1867–1934) was a distinguished entrepreneur in Hong Kong and the patriarch of the notable Lo family. He was also connected by marriage to George She.
Biography
As a first-generation Eurasian in Hong Kong, Lo Cheung-shiu was born to Thomas Rothwell, an English businessman, and his Chinese wife Zheng You ().
Lo worked as a comprador for Jardine, Matheson & Co., a prominent British trading company operating in the Far East, retiring from this role in 1920. He held key board positions at major Hong Kong enterprises such as China Light and Power Company and the Hong Kong Construction Company.
During the formative years of Hong Kong’s port expansion, Lo amassed considerable wealth and maintained a close relationship with Ho Tung. In 1914, he partnered with Liu Zhubo, He Dong, He Fu, He Gantang, and Chen Qiming to establish Dayou Bank, which became the second Chinese-founded bank in Hong Kong following Guangdong Bank.
Lo was actively involved in philanthropic efforts, serving as director of Tung Wah Hospital from 1915 to 1916, later as an emeritus advisor to the institution, and holding a permanent seat on the board of Po Leung Kuk. Additionally, he was vice-chairman and a longstanding executive committee member of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce.
His public service included appointments as a Justice of the Peace and membership on the District Watch Committee. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded a Certificate of Honour during King George V's birthday celebrations in 1930.
Lo passed away on 20 June 1934 at his residence in Mid-Levels after an extended illness. His estate was valued at around HK$543,600. The funeral held on 3 July attracted numerous local dignitaries, and Jardine, Matheson & Co. honored him by flying their flag at half-mast.
Family
The Lo family maintained influential connections within Hong Kong’s business and political circles. Lo Cheung-shiu’s elder sister, Luo Ruicai, married Ho Fook, thus linking him directly to the prominent Ho Tung lineage. Moreover, four of his children formed marital alliances with members of Robert Ho Tung’s family.
His spouse Shi Xiangqing was sister to Andrew Zimmern (She Ping Kwong), who participated in Qing missions to North Korea, as well as George She. Lo fathered four sons—Man-kam, Man-wai, Man-ho, and Man-hin (Horace)—alongside five daughters. Four sons pursued careers in law and established the well-known legal firm Lo and Lo, which continues its practice today. Both Man-kam and Man-wai were active in politics as members of Hong Kong’s Executive and Legislative Councils.
Continuing this tradition, Lo’s grandson Lo Tak-shing served on both Councils and received appointments to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as well as the Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee. He also ran for Hong Kong’s inaugural Chief Executive position in the 1997 election.