Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1996

leadership of Mr. Chen, Hang L u n g Development has rapidly expanded, gaining an enviable reputation in this field. Mr. Chen feels that the basis for his success is a continual process of learning and innovation. The company's buildings can be found all over Hong Kong. Characteristically, the buildings are multifunctional, creating spaces for varied commercial facilities such as restaurants, hotels, and shops. These towering skyscrapers are Mr. Chen's trees. They sprout and grow, needing the constant attention of their 'gardeners' to help them flourish. Mr. Chen's quiet devotion and hard work ， in his special garden, have made an outstanding contribution to the growth and prosperity o f Hong Kong's businesses and the economy as a whole. Although Mr. Chen enjoys distinguished achievements in his business, he takes a keen interest in serving the community in other ways. He is a modest and unassuming man who likens himself to liquorice root, known for its gentle medicinal qualities. There is a Chinese saying, 'It's cold ， living in jade palaces.' Successful people in high positions can be just lonely. Mr. Chen is an exception. Fame and fortune, he feels, are but a part of his life. What he values most is the kindness of his many acquaintances. The real glory is a gift for friendship. Mr. Chen also appreciates the arts and through his reading has found a particular interest i n modern Chinese history. His lif e is thus a very full and happy one, not least because of his service to the community. As vice-president to the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, a member of the Land and Building Advisory Committee, a member of the Land Development Corporation, and a member of the Provisional Airpor t Authority, he contributes his expertise i n the area of property development, urban renewal, and the planning of the new airport. Mr. Chen also served as a member of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and non-executive director of the Securities and Futures Commission. As chairman of the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited, in 1993-94 he made great efforts to promote a new central clearing system to provide transparency and confidence in the operation of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Since then the financial sector has flourished an d Hong Kong has become justly recognize d as an international financial centre. Hi s contributions to the f i nanc i al sector are thus t r u l y distinguished. Mr. Chen has been a director of the Hang Lung Development Company Limited . He was also a member of the Basic Law Consultative Committee. His keen support of higher education dates back a long time. He became a member of the Board of Trustees of the United College in 1991. He is also a member of the Court of the Hong Kong University o f Science and Technology. In 1993 ， Mr. Chen donated HK$10 mi l l i on to th e Hong Kong Cancer Institute of The Chinese University as a development f u nd towards specialized treatment and research facilities. Mr. Chen's generosity has already helped many patients. A l l these activities deserve our respect and acknowledgment. Mr. Chancellor, through his vision and knowledge, Mr. Thomas Chen has brought together the right human qualities in himself and his associates i n the right place and at the right time to gain exceptional success and notable achievements i n property development and the financial sector. Mr. Chen was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the B r i t i sh Emp i r e i n 1993. Because o f his remarkable contributions and generous support for the universities and the community-at-large, Mr. Chancellor, it is with great pleasure that I present Thomas Chen Tseng Tao for the award of the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa. • 1 1