Chiang Chen, Hong Kong industrialist and philanthropist who changed the world of plastic mouldings, dies at 98
- The founder of Chen Hsong Holdings rose to wealth and fame with a plastic blow-moulding machine that could handle two colours, a crucial industry turning point
- The industrialist also became known for his philanthropy through the Chiang Chen Industrial Charity Foundation and his inspirational rags-to-riches story
Hong Kong businessman Chiang Chen, a well-known industrialist and philanthropist, passed away at the age of 98 in the company of family members on March 13.
Chiang, the founder of Hong Kong-listed Chen Hsong Holdings, will be remembered as the city’s “trailblazing philanthropic industrialist as well as a true master in industrial machinery”, the company said in a March 14 statement.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor expressed her deep condolences on the passing of Chiang.
“Dr Chiang was a pioneer in the industrial development of Hong Kong, with distinguished achievements made in the machinery and industrial arena, and a leading role assumed in the trade. He made remarkable contributions to the economic development of Hong Kong and was one of the first patriotic businessmen to invest and set up businesses in the mainland after the country’s reform and opening up,” Lam said in the statement.
“A philanthropist and also an educator, he established a charity foundation in the earlier years to foster talent training and industrial research, nurturing tens of thousands of experts in industrial technology and management for the nation.”
