Philip Kwok (businessman)
Philip Kwok Chi-kuen | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 6, 1938 |
| Education | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (BSc Physics), Harvard University (MSc and PhD Physics) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, politician |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Known for | Chairman of Wing On, vice-chairman of Progressive Hong Kong Society, vice-chairman of Hong Kong Basic Law Consultative Committee, founding vice-chairman of Liberal Democratic Federation of Hong Kong |
Dr. Philip Kwok Chi-kuen, SBS, JP (; born 6 December 1938), is a notable figure in Hong Kong's business and political spheres.
Biography
Kwok's parents are Kwok Lam-po and Sylvia Li Yuet-sheung. His grandfather, Kwok Chuen, established the Wing On Company, a prominent Chinese department store, while his mother hailed from the distinguished Li family, recognized as one of Hong Kong's four big families.
He received his early education at St. Paul's Co-Educational College before pursuing higher studies abroad. Kwok obtained a bachelor's degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and subsequently completed both his master's and doctoral degrees in Physics at Harvard University. After working as a researcher at IBM, he returned to Hong Kong in 1970 to engage with the family enterprise.
In 1983, Kwok assumed the role of chairman at Wing On. However, following the 1985 crisis involving the Hong Kong dollar, Wing On Bank required financial assistance from Hang Seng Bank, which led to his stepping down as chairman, although he continued serving as a board director.
In the political arena, Kwok was appointed to the Urban Council and held the position of vice-chairman within the pro-establishment Progressive Hong Kong Society, headed by Maria Tam. In 1985, he was named vice-chairman of the Beijing-supported Hong Kong Basic Law Consultative Committee, where he led the conservative Group of 89 that promoted a gradual approach to democratization.
He briefly affiliated with the New Hong Kong Alliance in 1989 but departed due to conflicting views on governance after 1997. In 1990, together with fellow Group of 89 members, Kwok co-established the pro-business Liberal Democratic Federation of Hong Kong and served as its founding vice-chairman. He was designated a Hong Kong Affairs Adviser in 1993.
Kwok joined the governing Council of Hong Kong Baptist University in 2005. His honors include being appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1979 and receiving the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2003.
Personal life
Kwok holds an honorary non-voting membership at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and serves as chairman of Shotokan Karate International of Hong Kong. He lives in Happy Valley, Hong Kong.
He is married to Maxine Kwok Li Yuen-kwan, daughter of Dr. Li Shu-pui and Ellen Li, and they have four children: Jason, Desmond, Renee, and Edwin.