Wu Yee-sun
Wu Yee-sun | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1900 Guangdong, China |
| Died | Error: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Wing Lung Bank, Penjing artist |
Wu Yee-sun (, 1900 – 11 May 2005) was a prominent Hong Kong businessman and billionaire, recognized as the founder of Wing Lung Bank.
Life and career
Originating from a distinguished family yet encountering financial difficulties, Wu discontinued his education at the age of 14 to provide for his household. During the 1920s, he relocated from Guangdong to Hong Kong in search of employment opportunities. In 1933, he played a key role in establishing "Wing Lung Money Exchange" in Central, Hong Kong, which subsequently evolved into Wing Lung Bank. Wu generously supported numerous charitable causes, donating to hospitals, clinics, universities, and schools across Mainland China and Hong Kong. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 105.
To honor his contributions, a minor planet discovered in 1979 was officially named 3570 Wuyeesun in 1998.
Penjing
Wu inherited the tradition of the "Lingnan School" style of penjing (the art of cultivating miniature trees) from his father and grandfather. In 1967, he founded Man Lung Garden as a center for penjing study and exhibition. He authored Man Lung Garden Artistic Pot Plants in 1969, followed by an expanded edition in 1974, distributing roughly 10,000 copies worldwide to safeguard this Chinese artistic heritage.
His personal penjing collection expanded to nearly 400 specimens, many of which were donated to various institutions internationally, including the University of Paris, Montreal Botanical Garden, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver, Nanjing Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist College, and the Former Government House in Hong Kong. These collections remain accessible to the public.
Following extensive negotiations with agricultural authorities concerning import regulations, Wu’s penjing were successfully introduced into North America. In 1996, the Wu Chinese Garden Pavilion was inaugurated at the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum within the U.S. National Arboretum.
Wu welcomed global visitors to his garden overlooking Hong Kong. In 2000, Man Lung Garden was established at Hong Kong Baptist University alongside an online platform. His son Norman Po-Man released Man Lung Penjing in 2002, a richly illustrated volume chronicling over seven decades of Wu’s penjing artistry and techniques.