Shouson Chow

Sir Shouson Chow
Born	Chow Cheong-Ling 1861 Wong Chuk Hang San Wai, Hong Kong
Died	1959
Other names	Chow Cheong-Ling
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician
Years active	1874–1930s
Known for	First Chinese member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, chairman of Bank of East Asia

Sir Shouson Chow (; 1861–1959), also recognized as Chow Cheong-Ling (), was a distinguished businessman and politician in Hong Kong. He previously served as an official during the Qing dynasty and was a leading figure within the Hong Kong government.

Family

Chow originated from Wong Chuk Hang San Wai, a village situated at the base of what is now known as Shouson Hill, and was part of the Chow family lineage.

His father held the position of compradore at the Canton and Hong Kong Steamship Company. His grandfather played a prominent role in "Little Hong Kong" and collaborated with Charles Elliot during the initial official proclamation of Hong Kong Island in 1841. Chow had a son named Chow Yat-Kwong.

Career

In the 1870s, Chow was among the third cohort of Chinese students funded by the Qing government to pursue education in the United States. He departed China in 1874 and completed his studies at Phillips Academy, Andover in 1880. Although accepted to Columbia University, his academic tenure was abbreviated due to a recall order from the Qing authorities. Subsequently, he entered into service under the Qing administration.

By 1881, he was employed with the Korean Customs Service under Yuan Shikai. From 1897 until 1903, he led as president of the China Merchant Steam Navigation Company based in Tianjin, followed by his role as managing director of the Peking-Mukden Railway from 1903 to 1907.

Between 1907 and 1910, Chow acted as Customs and Trade Superintendent as well as Counselor for Foreign Affairs in Niuzhuang, during which time he was elevated to Mandarin of the Second Rank. Following the 1911 Revolution, he resigned from government duties to assume directorships across various enterprises and philanthropic institutions.

Public Service

In 1907, Chow was designated a Justice of the Peace in Hong Kong and subsequently became affiliated with the North British Academy of Arts. In 1918, he co-established the Bank of East Asia alongside three Chinese associates and served as its chairman from 1925 to 1929. His public roles included appointment to the Sanitary Board in 1922 and membership on the Legislative Council until 1931.

Chow broke new ground in 1926 by becoming the first Chinese individual appointed to the Executive Council and was honored with a knighthood that same year. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws in 1933.

During the period of the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong, Chow led the Japanese-formed Chinese Cooperative Council, overseeing public order within the Chinese community; notably, he faced no penalties after British governance was restored.

His philanthropic efforts were extensive: he presided over the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children, acted as Patron for the Chinese Mission to Lepers, participated in the District Watchmen Committee, and served as Permanent Advisor to institutions such as Tung Wah Hospital, Public Dispensaries, and Po Leung Kuk. Additionally, he provided counsel to the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and held honorary presidencies at both the South China Athletic Association and Chinese Recreation Club.

Among his accolades are the Order of the Chia Ho (Third Class) bestowed by President Yuan Shikai, a Second Class award received in 1918, the Second Class Medal of Brilliancy granted by President Xu Shichang in 1919, his knighthood conferred in 1926, and the Order of the Silver Jubilee awarded by King George V in 1935.

Memory

The southern area of Hong Kong Island known as Shouson Hill was named to commemorate him.

External links

• Chow Cheong-ling (Zhou Changling) 周長齡 featured in Biographies of Prominent Chinese circa 1925.