Wang Huasheng (1925)

Wong Wah-san (born 1925 – died July 22, 2018), a native of Sheung Po Tam Village, Heng Shan, Shipai Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, was known as Hong Kong's "Shipbuilding King." In the 1970s, he was recognized alongside Pao Yue-kong and Tung Hao-yun as one of the three great shipping magnates of Hong Kong. He was Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Honorary President of the Hong Kong Chinese Amateur Athletic Association, founder of Ching Lung Water World (later Fun City), and Honorary Life President of the Hong Kong Chinese Amateur Swimming Association. He also founded and formerly chaired the China Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Limited, was Honorary Chairman of Wing Fung Group Holdings Limited, and served as Chairman of Argos Bus Services (China). Additionally, he was Honorary Life President of the Sea Dragon Diving Club, founder of the Junior Police Call in Hong Kong, and an Honorary Life President of the Po Leung Kuk. His first wife was Lun Lau Ngo.

Life

Wong Wah-san was born in 1925. At the age of 14 in 1939, he came to Hong Kong and became an apprentice at the Kowloon Dockyard. In 1941, he founded the Chung Wah Wind Electric Welding Iron Factory, which mainly undertook welding and metalworks for ship repairs and construction. This factory laid the foundation for his future shipyard business in Hong Kong. In the 1950s, Wong began expanding overseas by constructing the first offshore oil rig operating in Southeast Asia, the "Orient Explorer," in British Borneo, which greatly boosted his business.

In the 1960s, he established the Chung Wah Shipyard in Yau Tong Bay, initially focusing on barge manufacturing and later expanding into other areas. The shipyard went public in the 1970s, becoming a public company involved in international maritime shipbuilding and offshore oil exploration equipment projects. Wong was recognized as a peer of shipping magnates Pao Yue-kong and Tung Hao-yun.

In the 1980s, seeing great potential in the mainland China's industrial and commercial development, he shifted his focus to mainland investment, diversifying into hotels, real estate, retail, bus transport, heavy industry, and shipbuilding. He was one of the early Hong Kong businessmen to invest in mainland China. As land and air transport developed rapidly, the importance of ships declined. Moreover, since the shipbuilding industry is closely linked to national defense, the Chinese government heavily subsidized domestic shipyards. As a commercial enterprise based in Hong Kong, the Chung Wah Shipyard could not obtain such financial support, making it difficult to compete with mainland counterparts. Eventually, in 1991, Wong sold his shares in the Chung Wah Shipyard Group. The shipyard land was later sold to several property developers, including New World and Henderson Land. The Wong family subsequently restructured their businesses, with Wong’s Investment Group becoming the flagship of their family enterprise.

Wong Wah-san's eldest son, Wong Man-kong, a delegate to the 10th National People's Congress representing the Hong Kong SAR, confirmed to the media outlet "HK01" that his father passed away on the night of July 22, 2018.

Sports

Wong Wah-san was involved in business for over fifty years and consistently contributed to society, especially in the community of Kwun Tong, where his shipyard was located. Kwun Tong was once a barren area, but with industrial development, the population grew rapidly, mostly composed of the working class. At that time, workers led tough lives with long working hours and had few opportunities to exercise. The area also lacked sports facilities, leading to poor health among residents. Many youths gathered in the streets around the "Kai Liu" area and were often coerced into joining triads. Seeing this, Wong and other concerned individuals raised funds to establish a sports association, organizing basketball, football, and volleyball events. The District Officer was responsible for organizing, and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department planned the activities. This sports association became the "Kwun Tong Sports Promotion Association."

Wong was very active in his youth and especially fond of swimming—each pool visit would see him swim over 1,000 meters. He once served as Vice President of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong.

Family

• Wong Man-chiu
• Wong Man-kong