Tin Ka Ping

Tin Ka-ping, BH (born November 20, 1919 – died July 10, 2018), was a Hakka entrepreneur and philanthropist from Hong Kong, born in Dapu County, Meizhou, Guangdong Province.

In 1935, Tin left school and entered business, founding the Chayang Kaolin Company, which became the largest kaolin supplier in Vietnam. In 1939, after Japan occupied Shantou, he moved to Indonesia to work in the rubber industry, establishing flourishing businesses. In 1958, fleeing anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia and seeking better cultural education for his children, he relocated his family to Hong Kong. There he founded Tin's Plastic Factory and later Tin's Chemical Industrial Co., producing plastic films and artificial leather, helping Hong Kong's plastics industry enter the international market. After 1990, he expanded production by establishing factories in Dongguan and Guangzhou.

Tin Ka-ping was deeply dedicated to philanthropy, especially education, making independent and co-funded donations throughout Greater China. In 1982, he founded the **Tin Ka Ping Foundation**, with the goal of "revitalizing the nation through education." He supported education improvement projects and national development. Schools named after him, especially Tin Ka Ping Secondary Schools, were established across mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and more. From 2009 until his death on July 10, 2018, he served as the honorary chairman of the foundation. He passed away peacefully at age 98 (99 in East Asian reckoning).

Timeline

• **1919**: Born in Yintan Village, Guye Town, Dapu County, Guangdong.
• **1935**: At age 15, after his father Tin Yuk-wu passed away, he left school and took on family responsibilities.
• **1937**: At 18, he went to Vietnam to sell kaolin, and later founded Chayang Kaolin Company, becoming the largest supplier in Vietnam.
• **1939**: After Shantou fell to the Japanese, kaolin transport was cut. He shifted to Indonesia and entered the rubber industry, founding "Chaolun" and "Nanyang" rubber factories.
• **1958**: Due to rising anti-Chinese movements in Indonesia, he moved to Hong Kong with his family. He reclaimed land in Tuen Mun and built Tin's Plastic Factory, producing plastic films and artificial leather.
• **1968**: Founded Tin's Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd., gradually shifting production to Ping Shan, Yuen Long, and began converting Tuen Mun land into industrial buildings.
• **1982**: Founded the **Tin Ka Ping Foundation** in August with the mission "to care for the elderly and young, promote education and culture, benefit society, give back to the community, and contribute to the nation."
• **1992**: Established Dongguan Tin's Chemical Factory Co., Ltd. in Humen Town, Dongguan, Guangdong.
• **1994**: Founded Tin Ka Ping Secondary School in Fanling, Hong Kong – the only school operated directly by the foundation.
• **2000**: Established Guangzhou Tin's Plastic Co., Ltd. in Huangpu District, Guangzhou, to produce PVC films.
• **2006**: Transferred the PVC film business to another company.
• **2008**: Transferred the artificial leather business to another company.
• **2009**: Handed management of the foundation to respected community leaders, becoming non-voting honorary chairman.
• **2013**: Baptized at Evangelical Free Church of China Yan Fook Church by Pastor Stephen Suen.
• **2018**: Tin Ka Ping Foundation announced his peaceful passing on the morning of July 10 at age 98.

Tin Ka Ping Foundation

Founded in 1982, the Tin Ka Ping Foundation is a registered non-profit charitable organization, mainly funded by Tin Ka-ping and his family’s companies. It focuses heavily on education. The foundation was historically managed by the family and never sought external fundraising.

In 2009, to ensure long-term development and better governance, Tin donated four industrial buildings to the foundation and invited presidents of nine Hong Kong universities and social leaders to help oversee operations. Family members retained no control. Rental income from the buildings, after expenses, was entirely donated for charitable causes.

In 2012, to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the foundation co-organized an education forum with the Hong Kong Institute of Education, inviting university presidents, scholars, and project leaders across China to explore educational development.

Honors

Honorary Doctorates / Fellowships

• Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University (1996)
• Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong (2000)
• Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, Open University of Hong Kong (2001)
• Honorary Doctor of Education, Hong Kong Institute of Education (2003)
• Honorary University Fellow, Hong Kong Polytechnic University (2005)
• Honorary Doctor of Philosophy, National Chiao Tung University (2005)
• Honorary Doctor of Laws, Lingnan University (2005)
• Honorary University Fellow, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (2006)
• Honorary Doctor of Education, National Taiwan Normal University (2007)
• Honorary Doctor, Xi'an Jiaotong University (2008)
• Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, Hong Kong Shue Yan University (2009)
• Honorary Doctor of Social Sciences, University of Hong Kong (2010)

Other Honors

• Medal of Honour (MH), awarded by the Governor of Hong Kong (1982)
• Golden Plaque for Public Welfare, awarded by the Taiwan Presidential Office (1988)
• "Tin Ka Ping Star" – Asteroid No. 2886 named by the Purple Mountain Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences (1994)
• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), awarded by the Queen of the United Kingdom (1996)
• Numerous awards from Guangdong and Fujian provincial governments for educational and philanthropic contributions
• "Touching Hong Kong" Top 10 Awardee, Asia Television (2010)
• Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM), HKSAR Government (2010)
• "Outstanding Contribution to Chinese Philanthropy" Award, China Charity Federation (2006)
• Honorary Citizen awards from over 89 Chinese provinces and cities
• Recognized as a model philanthropist by numerous provincial governments and national organizations

Titles

• Founder and Honorary Chairman of the Tin Ka Ping Foundation

Education-Related Institutions

• • Kindergartens and Schools Named After Tin Ka-ping**

• Hong Kong:*

- Tin Ka Ping Secondary School - Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Secondary School - Yan Oi Tong Tin Ka Ping Primary School - Po Leung Kuk Tin Ka Ping Primary School - Po Leung Kuk Tin Ka Ping Millennium Primary School - Salvation Army Tin Ka Ping School - Tin Ka Ping Education Library, University of Hong Kong

• Mainland China:*

- Multiple Tin Ka Ping Secondary Schools - Tin Ka Ping Teaching Building, South China Normal University

• Taiwan:*

- Tin Ka Ping Optoelectronics Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University - Tin Ka Ping Institute, National Taiwan Normal University

• Macau:*

- Tin Ka Ping Education Research Institute, University of Macau

Further Reading

• [Purple Bauhinia – Tycoon Tin Ka-ping (CCTV, 2007)](http://www.cctv.com/program/dysj/20070629/103250.shtml)