preface
In Hong Kong, there is such a legend: he founded a bank with assets of more than 100 billion, but lived a life of almost poverty; He was awarded the highest honor by the state, and the funeral specifications were comparable to a state funeral, but his son had to drive a taxi to earn a living.
What kind of life choices are hidden behind this seemingly contradictory story? Why was he able to make such an amazing decision? Let's uncover the mystery of this rich man together.
Time of Turmoil Banks were founded
On January 20, 1911, in a scholarly family in Puning County, Guangdong, Zhuang Shiping fell to the ground. This little young master who was born in the "Xieyu Compound" could have lived a comfortable life as a rich son. But who would have thought that 12-year-old Zhuang Shiping would leave his hometown and travel all over China in order to study.
Zhuang Shiping, who has read poetry and books since he was a child, has seen all the hardships of China on the way to study. Behind the prosperity of the ten-mile ocean field is the miserable life of 40,000 compatriots. This planted a seed in the young Zhuang Shiping's heart to save the country.
After graduation, he successively served as the vice principal of Xinmin School and the director of the discipline and education department of Zhonghua Middle School, determined to use education to change the destiny of China. In 1937, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out. The 26-year-old Zhuang Shiping resolutely rushed to the forefront of anti-war propaganda.
He became a member of the Standing Committee of the Thailand Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Federation, responsible for managing the anti-Japanese materials donated by overseas Chinese. As the editor of the "Central Plains Daily", he traveled everywhere, mobilized overseas Chinese to donate funds to support the anti-Japanese war, and also organized overseas Chinese students to return to China to participate in the war. The blood of this young man was burning in the flames of war.
After the war, Zhuang Shiping did not stop patriotic. In 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded, Western countries imposed an economic blockade on China. At this time, Hong Kong has become the key to breaking the blockade. The country needed to open a bank in Hong Kong, but it only had a start-up capital of US$10,000.
This impossible task fell on Zhuang Shiping's shoulders. Friends said he was crazy and couldn't even open the bank door for $10,000. But Zhuang Shiping gritted his teeth and relied on his wisdom and connections to set up Nanyang Commercial Bank.
What is even more admirable is that he made it clear that this is a bank for the state, and he does not take a penny, and does not want any shares and interests. In this way, under the leadership of Zhuang Shiping, Nanyang Commercial Bank has developed from a small workshop of 18 people to a modern commercial bank with total assets of 73.3 billion Hong Kong dollars.
It was not only the first bank in Hong Kong to hang the five-star red flag, but also issued China's first credit card, making great contributions to the international financial economy of New China.
Zhuang Shiping created a financial miracle with $10,000, but his story goes far beyond that. In the ups and downs of the business sea, he never forgot his original intention and adhered to the ideal of "rejuvenating the country through economy". So, how can this financial wizard continue to exert his talents in the tide of reform and opening up?
Reject self-interest and be a model of integrity
The spring breeze of reform and opening up is blowing all over the land of China, and Zhuang Shiping has once again become the tide of the times. One early morning in 1979, he received a phone call from Shenzhen. This late-night call sounded the prelude to China's establishment of special economic zones.
The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone has just started, and the above has given policies, but no money. Wu Nansheng, then secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, was so worried that his hair turned white. Zhuang Shiping worked hard to make money little by little. In this way, Shenzhen's plan to raise funds through land development was approved by the central government, and the whole game of chess was revitalized at once.
Not only that, Zhuang Shiping also boldly suggested that the SEZs should develop a market economy, be in line with international standards, and implement a low-tax system. These ideas were earth-shattering at the time! Later, these recommendations were implemented in Shenzhen. Zhuang Shiping's contribution does not stop there. He also contributed to the establishment of Shantou University.
At that time, Guangdong Province wanted to set up a university, but there was no money. Zhuang Shiping didn't say a word, and took the provincial leaders to meet his good friend Li Ka-shing. In this way, Shantou University was born, and has trained many college students so far.
You may think, Zhuang Shiping must have made a fortune, right? Wrong! The life of this financial tycoon is unbelievably simple. He doesn't have his own car, he doesn't have his own room, he takes economy class on business trips, eats and goes to food stalls.
His worn-out white shirt was still wearing it with a frayed collar. The most valuable thing in the whole body is the old watch that costs more than 100 yuan. Pick on yourself, and be strict with your children. Zhuang Shiping wants the children to be self-reliant. His eldest son has always driven a taxi for a living.
Zhuang Shiping has dealt with money all his life, but he has never been for himself. Why can such a billionaire be so indifferent to fame and fortune? How has his patriotic feelings remained consistent in the changing times?
Dedicate your life savings to the country
Zhuang Shiping's patriotic feelings, like a flame that will never be extinguished, have burned in his heart for nearly a century. From his youth to the anti-Japanese salvation movement, to his later years, he was still concerned about the reunification of the motherland, and his life trajectory was closely linked to the destiny of the country.
For the reunification of the motherland, Zhuang Shiping has an almost stubborn pursuit. One of the words he often hangs on his lips is: "Jin Ou is still lacking, and Lao Ji is not willing to lie down, and he still seeks to unify China." Even in his old age, he still never forgot the Taiwan issue and looked forward to the complete reunification of the motherland.
On July 1, 1997, the moment Hong Kong returned to the motherland, the 86-year-old Zhuang Shiping was so excited that he burst into tears.
When he saw the "rice flag" representing colonial rule falling and the five-star red flag flying high over Hong Kong, he choked up and said: "For more than 40 years, I have insisted on raising the national flag in Hong Kong, and the first partners who raised the flag with me have all passed away.
Now that I am in my 80s, I have finally seen the motherland take back Hong Kong, and my long-cherished wish has been fulfilled! This moment seems to be the best reward for his persistence for more than half a century.
Zhuang Shiping's patriotic feelings are not only reflected in words, but also in practical actions. In 1986, when the 76-year-old Zhuang Shiping retired, he made a shocking decision: he handed over the Nanyang Commercial Bank and the Nantong Bank of Macau, which he founded and developed, to the state free of charge.
The total assets of the two banks were more than HK$32 billion at the time, and later worth more than 100 billion. But Zhuang Shiping didn't take a penny, and he didn't even keep a single stock for himself.
This article was originally published in Yangcheng Pie2024-10-03 "About" "Video" Nanyang Commercial Bank 1949: Hong Kong's financial sector raises the first five-star red flag|National Day special feature of barbecued pork boy on the street"
Even after retirement, Zhuang Shiping still cares about the development of the country. As long as he is in Hong Kong, he will work in NCB's office every day. He continued to care about and participate in the development of the bank and made suggestions for the country's economic construction.
Zhuang Shiping spent his life interpreting what true patriotism is. In his view, the achievements of individuals are closely related to the rise and fall of the country. He firmly believes that only when the country is strong can the Chinese really straighten their waists.
This article was originally published in People's Daily Overseas Edition on November 8, 2021, "On Raising the First Five-Star Red Flag in Hong Kong"
When Zhuang Shiping died, he also enjoyed a state funeral, and the coffin was covered with the national flag......
In the face of Zhuang Shiping, a selfless patriot, we can't help but ask: In today's society, how many people can closely link personal interests with national interests like him? What does his spirit leave us?
The original article was published on CCTV on July 8, 2007, "About "Mr. Zhuang Shiping's Mourning and Public Memorial Ceremony Held in Hong Kong"
epilogue
Looking back at Zhuang Shiping's life, we see not only a financial wizard, but also a selfless patriot. He interpreted the life creed of "benefiting the country and not benefiting oneself" with his actions, leaving us with valuable spiritual wealth.
In this materialistic era, Zhuang Shiping's story undoubtedly sounded the alarm bell for us: personal success and the destiny of the country are closely linked. There is still work to be done!
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