Lu Zonglin
Dr. Luk Chung Lam (Dr. Luk Chung Lam), born in Shanghai, was a Hong Kong tycoon and member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). He was a businessman mainly engaged in the toy industry and investments. He founded Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited (predecessor of China National Culture Group Limited) and was also the founding president of the Hong Kong Toys Manufacturers’ Association. He was respectfully known as the "Toy Doctor".
Biography
Known as the "Toy Doctor", Luk Chung Lam rose to fame by manufacturing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In addition to his toy business, he was also keen on investments in property development and technology. Perhaps due to his luck and sharp foresight, most of these investments were highly profitable. Luk was rumored to be close friends with Li Ka-shing, and the two reportedly collaborated on many investment ventures.
During the early stages of Harbour Ring Group, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys produced by the company became a global sensation. In 1990, the group achieved an annual turnover of HKD 2 billion, becoming the world’s largest toy manufacturer. Harbour Ring went public in 1991, and the following year Luk foresaw the opportunities brought by Shanghai's open-door policy and entered the Mainland real estate market by engaging in old district redevelopment in Huangpu. Notable projects include Harbour Ring Plaza, Harbour Ring Huangpu Centre, and Shanghai Century Commercial Plaza. In 1992, Cheung Kong Holdings purchased a 4% stake in Harbour Ring from Luk Chung Lam and acquired HKD 80 million worth of convertible bonds, which after conversion increased Cheung Kong’s holding to nearly 10%. Later, the toy business was sold off.
The combination of Hutchison and Harbour Ring proved to be fortunate for both sides. In 2000, during the dot-com boom, American company Internet Capital Group (ICG) sought a backdoor listing in Hong Kong, introduced by Hutchison Managing Director Canning Fok. Harbour Ring was chosen as the listing vehicle. The news caused Harbour Ring’s stock price to skyrocket from HKD 1.20 to a peak of HKD 9.20, with a single-day turnover of HKD 1.466 billion. At the time, Luk Chung Lam’s net worth soared by HKD 6 billion.
Family
Eldest son Luk Dei (Lewis Luk) is active in the business world and social services. He was former Vice Chairman of Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited, former Executive Director of Harbour Ring International Holdings Limited, and a director of Wai Luk Investment Ltd. He is also a senior solicitor at Woo, Kwan, Lee & Lo, and founded the Hong Kong Industrial & Professional Evaluation Council and the Hong Kong Patent Attorneys Association. Politically, like his father, Luk Dei holds several important positions, including Standing Committee Member of the Guangdong CPPCC, Member of the Economic Development and Mainland Economic Cooperation Committee under the Hong Kong SAR’s Strategy Development Commission, and Justice of the Peace.
His son-in-law Herbert Tsoi[1] is a practicing lawyer in Hong Kong and former President of the Law Society of Hong Kong.
Horses
Luk Chung Lam was a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and owned multiple racehorses during his lifetime, all named with the prefix "Toy", such as: Toy World, Toy Fortune, Toy Baron, Toy Warrior, Toy Lucky Star, Horse Fans Lucky Star. Among them, Toy Warrior trained by Leung Ting Wah, had a record of 5 wins, 1 second, and 1 third, and won the 1999 Griffin Sprint with a four-length lead.
Philanthropy
Luk Chung Lam was passionate about charity and education, especially addressing women’s education issues in Mainland China. Through the Dr. Luk Chung Lam Foundation[2], he established scholarships at his hometown’s Fudan University in Shanghai, sponsoring five female master’s students and five female doctoral students each year. [3]
Public Positions
- Standing Committee Member of the 9th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
- Standing Committee Member of the 8th National People's Congress
- Member of the Selection Committee for the First Government of the HKSAR of the People's Republic of China
- Founding President of the Hong Kong Toys Manufacturers’ Association
Honors
- Outstanding Achievement Award in the Toy Industry
References
External Links
- Hong Kong Toys Manufacturers’ Association
- Hong Kong Industrial & Professional Evaluation Council
- Members of the First Selection Committee of the HKSAR Government
- 9th CPPCC National Committee Members
- Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council
- Toy Warrior - YouTube
- Law Society of Hong Kong
- Luk Dei
- Lewis Luk