Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1990

Mr. James Z.M. Kung, MBE, LLB FAIA A prominent banker, Mr. James Z.M. Kung is the personification of managerial excellence and fine service to the community. Asked what motto he lives by, he said: ‘I try not to waste time — mine and others,' and 'I try not to say no.' Born in 1930 in Shanghai, Mr. Kung came to Hong Kong in 1950 after receiving his LLB from the Soochow University Law School. During the past 40 years, he has been with the Chekiang First Bank. From a humble teller, he has worked his way to the top through devotion and hard work. Today, Mr. Kung is the chairman and chief manager of the Chekiang First Bank. He also holds the chairmanship or a directorship in 11 other companies and concurrently sits on the Ocean Park Corporation Board. Besides, he is an honorary consul for Luxembourg in Hong Kong. This last position attests to his talents and skills as a diplomat. The trust of a foreign country rests comfortably on his shoulders. His managerial skill is such that all these responsibilities require but a portion of his time. Outside of his business commitments, Mr. Kung has taken on a number of formidable tasks in public service. He was chairman of the Chinese YMCA during the period 1982-86 when that organization successfully erected its impressive International House and repaid the entire loan of HK$75 million within three years after it opened for business. He is now honorary president of the Chinese YMCA and working on its Wu Kai Sha renovation project. He was the highly successful chairman of the executive committee of the Hong Kong Community Chest for 1989-90 and has been re-elected to that post for 1990-91. This year, he aims to raise HK$100 million by involving more publicly-listed companies. In addition, he is a member of the Banking Advisory Committee, the director of the Travel Industry Council and vice-chairman of its Re s e r ve Fund Board, and a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee. To this list, one must add the e du c a t i on al institutions fortunate enough to have his service. He is a member of the Grantham Scholarships Fund Committee, treasurer of the Hong Kong Polytechnic and treasurer of the Board of Governors and Council of Baptist College. To The Chinese University in particular, Mr. Kung has given invaluable service over the years in his capacity as a member and chairman of the Chung Chi College Board of Trustees and a member of the University Council. Mr. Chancellor, the Hong Kong community is right to honour individuals such as Mr. James Z.M. Kung who have made significant contributions in their fields of work and have generously given themselves in public service. I request that Your Excellency confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. 40TH CONGREGATION 3