The four big families of Hong Kong ()Sing Tao Daily. Section C-4 HR news. 7/31/2007. is a term used to describe the four business families that historically rose to prominence and became influential in

Hong Kong Hong Kong)., Legally Hong Kong, China in international treaties and organizations. is a special administrative region of China. With 7.5 million residents in a territory, Hong Kong is the fourth most densely populated region in the wor ...

. In order of influence, they are the Li, Ho, Lo and Hui families. The founders of the original four families are Li Sek-peng (), Robert Ho Tung (), Hui Oi-chow () and

Lo Cheung-shiu Lo Cheung-shiu () (1867–1934) was a prominent Hong Kong businessman and the founder of the Lo family, an influential family in Hong Kong. He was also George She's brother-in-law. Biography Lo Cheung-shiu was a first generation Hong Kong E ...

(). Of these families, the Lis and the Hos and their descendants are the two most recognized by regular Hong Kong citizens today.

Families

The families and their descendants are listed below. Each indentation represents one generation down, though not necessarily the next generation. Not all the descendants are shown. Most members of these families have reached

tycoon A business magnate, also known as an industrialist or tycoon, is a person who is a powerful entrepreneur and investor who controls, through personal enterprise ownership or a dominant shareholding position, a firm or industry whose goods or ser ...

status.

Li family notables

* Li Shek-pang (李石朋, 1863–1916) also known as Li Pui-choi (李佩材) – Originally from

Guangdong ) means "wide" or "vast", and has been associated with the region since the creation of Guang Prefecture in AD 226. The name "''Guang''" ultimately came from Guangxin ( zh, labels=no, first=t, t= , s=广信), an outpost established in Han dynasty ...

** Li Koon-chun (李冠春, 1887–1966) – Founder of

Bank of East Asia The Bank of East Asia Limited, often abbreviated to BEA, is a Hong Kong public banking and financial services company headquartered in Central, Hong Kong, Central, Hong Kong. It is currently the largest independent local Hong Kong bank, and o ...

, Director of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk *** Li Fook-shu (李福樹, 1912–95) – Council member of

Chinese University of Hong Kong The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a public university, public research university in Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong. Established in 1963 as a federation of three university college, collegesChung Chi College, New Asia Coll ...

**** David Li (李國寶, 1939–) – Chairman, Bank of East Asia, Member of

LegCo A legislative council is the legislature, or one of the legislative chambers, of a nation, colony, or subnational division such as a province or state. It was commonly used to label unicameral or upper house legislative bodies in the British ( ...

, ExCo, and HK Basic Law Drafting Committee **** Arthur Li (李國章, 1945–) – Hong Kong Secretary for Education & Manpower (2002–2007), ExCo Member, CPPC Delegate, Council member of the University of Hong Kong **** Jeanette Chi-duen, Li **** Jennifer Chi-ping, Li *** Ronald Li (李福兆, 1929–2014) – Founder & Chairman of

Stock Exchange of Hong Kong The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (, SEHK, also known as Hong Kong Stock Exchange) is a stock exchange based in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest stock exchanges in Asia and the 9th largest globally by market capitalization as of August 20 ...

Li Tse-fong Li Tse-fong (; 21 September 1891 – 5 September 1953) was a Hong Kong entrepreneur and politician. He was a founder of the Bank of East Asia and member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Education and business career Born in Hong Kong o ...

(李子方, 1891–1953) *** Li Fook-kow (李福逑, 1922–2011) Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs (1977–1980)

Ho family notables

* Robert Ho Tung (何東, 1862–1956) – Businessman, philanthropist ** Victoria Hotung (何錦姿, 1897–92) ∞

Man-kam Lo Sir Man-kam Lo, CBE (; 21 July 1893 – 7 March 1959) was an Eurasian lawyer in Hong Kong and unofficial member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Early life and education Man-kam Lo was born into a prominent E ...

** Edward Hotung (何世儉, 1902–57) *** Sir

Joseph Hotung Sir Joseph Edward Hotung (25 May 1930 – 16 December 2021) was a British/Hong Kong businessman, art collector, and philanthropist. Biography Hotung was born in 1930 in Shanghai to Edward Hotung, a founder of the Chinese Gold and Silver Exchang ...

(何鴻卿, 1930–2021) *** Eric Hotung (何鴻章, 1926–2017) ** Robert Hotung (何世禮, 1906–98) **

George Ho George Ho Cho-chi, GBS, OBE, JP (3 November 1919 – 4 June 2014) was a Hong Kong media mogul. The fifth son of the influential businessman Robert Hotung, George Ho was the founder of the Commercial Radio Hong Kong and Commercial Television. ...

(何佐芝, 1918–2014) – Founder of the

Commercial Radio Hong Kong Commercial Radio Hong Kong (CRHK, , also known as Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Company Limited, is one of the two commercial radio broadcasting companies in Hong Kong, alongside Metro Radio Hong Kong. CRHK offers a variety of radio prog ...

*** George Joseph Ho (何驥 1950–) – Chairman of the Commercial Radio Hong Kong * Ho Fook (何福, 1863–1926) – Businessman, philanthropist ** Ho Sai-wing – comprador, Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank ** Ho Sai-iu (何世耀) *** John Ho (何鴻超, 1916–2005) – Hon. Clinical Professor in clinical oncology, HKU ** Ho Sai-kwong (何世光) ***

Stanley Ho Stanley Ho Hung-sun (; 25 November 192126 May 2020) was a Hong Kong and Macau billionaire businessman. He was the founder and chairman of SJM Holdings, which owns nineteen casinos in Macau including the Grand Lisboa. Ho was nicknamed variou ...

(何鴻燊, 1921–2020) – Head of

Macau Macau or Macao is a special administrative regions of China, special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). With a population of about people and a land area of , it is the most List of countries and dependencies by p ...

casinos **** Pansy Ho (何超瓊, 1962–) – Group Executive Chairman and Managing Director of Shun Tak Holdings **** Daisy Ho (何超鳳, 1964–) – Current Head of

casinos as the chairman and executive director of SJM Holdings **** Josie Ho (何超儀, 1974–) – Singer and actress ****

Lawrence Ho Lawrence Ho Yau-lung (; born 1977) is a Canadian businessman. Starting his career as an investment banker at Jardine Fleming and Citibank, in 2001 he took over operations at Melco International. Later named chairman and CEO, Ho refocused th ...

(何猷龍, 1976–) – Chief exec of Melco International development ** Ho Sai-chuen (何世全, 1891–1938) – Doctor and member of the Sanitary Board ** Ho Sai-ki (何世奇) ***

Eric Peter Ho Eric Peter Ho Hung-luen, CBE, JP (; 30 December 1927 – 25 March 2015) was a Hong Kong government official. He was the Secretary for Social Services in the 1970s, becoming one of the first Chinese policy secretaries. Biography Ho was born in ...

(何鴻鑾, 1927–2015) – Hong Kong government official * Ho Kom-tong (何甘棠, 1866–1950) – Businessman, philanthropist ** Grace Ho (何愛瑜) ∞ Lee Hoi-chuen ***

Bruce Lee Bruce Lee (born Lee Jun-fan; November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973) was an American-born Hong Kong martial artist, actor, filmmaker, and philosopher. He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy which was formed from ...

(李小龍, 1940–73) – Movie star and martial artist ****

Brandon Lee Brandon Bruce Lee (February 1, 1965 – March 31, 1993) was an American actor. Establishing himself as a rising action star in the early 1990s, he landed what was to be his breakthrough role as Eric Draven in the supernatural superhero fi ...

(李國豪, 1965–93) – Actor and martial artist

Hui family notables

* Hui Oi-chow (, 1881–1966) – Businessman ** Hui Kei-pak () *** Victor Hui () – Chairman of

Hong Kong Football Association The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA; ) is the governing body of association football in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. Its current chairman is Eric Fok. History The HKFA was established in 1914. It is one of the ...

, vice-president of

Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China The Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (; in short SF&OC, ) is the National Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. As such it is a separate member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is also a me ...

The Standard HK.
The Standard.com
" ''Chief condemns stadium violence.'' Retrieved on 2008-11-23. *** Charles Hui (許晉平) ** Stephen Hui (, 1912–1989) *** Sylvia Hui () *** Richard Hui () *** William Hui () **** John Hui () ***** Brian Hui ***** Nicola Hui ***** Alex Hui *** Hui Sai-fun (, 1921–2018) *** Jenkin Hui (, 1939–2014) *** Hui Suet Yuen () *** Julian Hui (, 1962–) ∞ (1) Pansy Ho ∞ (2)

Michelle Reis use both this parameter and , birth_date to display the person's date of birth, date of death, and age at death) --> , death_place = , nationality = , citizenship = , alma_mater = Maryknoll Convent School , ...

**** Jayden Max Hui (2011–)

Lo family notables

(羅長肇, 1867–1934) –

Comprador A comprador or compradore () is a "person who acts as an agent for foreign organizations engaged in investment, trade, or economic or political exploitation." An example of a comprador would be a native manager for a European business house in Eas ...

e of Jardine, Matheson & Co. ** Lo Man-kam (羅文錦, 1893–1959) – Solicitor, founder of Lo and Lo law firm, member of the

Executive Executive ( exe., exec., execu.) may refer to: Role or title * Executive, a senior management role in an organization ** Chief executive officer (CEO), one of the highest-ranking corporate officers (executives) or administrators ** Executive dir ...

and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong, married to Victoria Hotung, daughter of Robert Ho Tung *** Lo Tak-shing (羅德丞, 1935–2006) – Solicitor, member of the

Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Basic Law Drafting Committee (BLDC) was formed in June 1985 for the drafts of the Hong Kong Basic Law for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) after 1997. It was formed as a working gro ...

CPPCC The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China and a central part of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s united front system. Its members advise and put proposals ...

Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong ** Lo Man-wai (羅文惠, 1895–1985) – Solicitor and member of the Executive and Legislative Councils. *** Kenneth Lo Tak-cheung (羅德璋, 1920–2007) – Lawyer, member of the Legislative and Urban Councils. ** Enid Lo (羅德貞) – Hong Kong Tennis Champion, married to John L. Litton ***

Henry Litton Henry Denis Litton GBM, CBE, SC ( Chinese: 烈顯倫; born 7 August 1934) is a retired judge in Hong Kong. Early life and education Born into a Eurasian family in Hong Kong, Henry Litton excelled in school during his early years first at th ...

(列顯倫, 1934–) – Non-Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal **** John Litton QC (烈宗仁) – Barrister, Hong Kong Bar (1990– ), English Bar (1991– ) ** Doris Lo (羅巧貞) – married to Ho Sai-ki, son of Ho Fook ***

(何鴻鑾, 1927–2015) – Hong Kong government official

Other definitions

Victor Wan-tai Zheng, co-author of ''Grand Old Man of Hong Kong: Sir Robert Ho Tung'' (2007) and ''Opium King: Lee Hysan'' (2011), lists 10 "Wealthy Chinese Family Busineses in Hong Kong" in his PhD thesis: Ho Tung Family, Li Shek-pang Family, Fung Pak-liu Family (note: , co-founder of Li & Fung), Lee Leung-yick Family (note: father of Lee Hysan), Chau Wing-tai Family, Hui Oi-chow Family, Family, Kowk ( Wing On) Family, Family and Family. He also lists a number of families, including Wang Lo Kat ( Wong Lo Kat) and Lee Kam Kee ( Lee Kum Kee), in a separate category. The thesis was later modified and published as ''Chinese Family Business and the Equal Inheritance System: Unravelling the Myth'' in 2010. Other authors have suggested new Four big families for the post colonial era. In this case, there are many more variants, including the

Li Ka-shing Sir Ka-shing Li (; born 29 July 1928) is a Hong Kong billionaire business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. He is the senior advisor for CK Hutchison Holdings and CK Asset Holdings, after he retired from the Chairman of the Board in May ...

, Kwok Tak-seng,

Lee Shau-kee Lee Shau-kee (; 20 February 1928 – 17 March 2025) was a Hong Kong business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He was a real estate tycoon and majority owner of Henderson Land Development, a property conglomerate with interests in prop ...

and

Cheng Yu-tung Cheng Yu-tung GBM (; 8 August 1925 – 29 September 2016) was a Hong Kong billionaire with extensive property investment, development and service businesses, hotels, infrastructure, jewellery retailing and transportation interests in Hong Kong, ...

families or the

Tung Chee-hwa Tung Chee-hwa (; born May 29, 1937) is a Hong Kong businessman and retired politician who served as the first Chief Executive of Hong Kong between 1997 and 2005, upon the transfer of sovereignty on 1 July. He served as a vice chairman of th ...

, James Tien,

Henry Tang Henry Tang Ying-yen (; born 6 September 1952) is a Hong Kong politician who served as the Chief Secretary of Hong Kong between 2007 and 2011. He held the position of Financial Secretary from 2003 to 2007. In 2012, he lost the Hong Kong Chief ...

and Rong Yiren families. Some scholars have gone even further by widening it to include the "big 10 families":

family,

Swire Swire Group ( zh, t=太古集團) is a highly diversified global conglomerate with its parent company being John Swire & Sons Limited that holds controlling stakes in a range of businesses trading in the UK, USA, Australia, Papua New Guinea, ...

family, Keswick family, Kwok Tak-seng family,

Pao Yue-kong Sir Yue-Kong Pao CBE JP (; 10 November 1918 — 23 September 1991), was the founder of Hong Kong's Worldwide Shipping Group, which at one point was the largest shipping company in the world. Anticipating the seriousness of the shipping ...

family, Kadoorie family,

family,

family, Chan Tseng-Hsi family and

Ng Teng Fong Ng Teng Fong (; 28 July 1928 – 2 February 2010) was a Singaporean real estate tycoon with a major presence in Hong Kong. He is the father of Robert Ng. In 1997, ''Forbes'' listed the two as the 30th richest people in the world. History Ng T ...

family. Most of the latter members have been associated with the term "real estate tycoons" (), a label made popular by Alice Poon's book '' Land and the Ruling Class in Hong Kong''. In her book, she lists the Lis a-shing the Kwoks ak-seng the Lees hau-kee the Chengs u-tung the Paos ue-kongand Woos eterand the Kadoories as the powerful Hong Kong families who hold sway over local "property-cum-utility/public services conglomerates". The Chinese translation of the book uses as a section title. As of 2018, Li Ka-shing and Lee Shau-kee were ranked first and second in ''Forbes' Hong Kong's 50 Richest'' respectively, while

Thomas Thomas may refer to: People * List of people with given name Thomas * Thomas (name) * Thomas (surname) * Saint Thomas (disambiguation) * Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church * Thomas the A ...

and Raymond Kwok brothers, sons of the late Kwok Tak-seng, were ranked 4th; their eldest brother,

Walter Kwok Walter Kwok Ping-sheung JP (; Cantonese pronunciation: ; 1950 – 20 October 2018) was a Hong Kong real estate developer. He was the eldest son of Kwok Tak-seng, founder of Sun Hung Kai Properties, and his wife Kwong Siu-hing. Following t ...

(d. 20 October 2018), was ranked 10th.

Richard Li Richard Li Tzar-kai is a Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist. The founder and chairman of the private investment group Pacific Century Group (PCG), Li started his career in the 1990s with the founding of STAR TV, a pan-Asian televisi ...

, the younger son of Li Ka-shing, was ranked 19th. Henry Cheng, son of the late Cheng Yu-tung, was ranked 49th. Some of the members of the aforementioned "new" families were also on the list, such as Peter Woo, son-in-law of the late Pao Yue-kong (6th),

Michael Kadoorie Sir Michael David Kadoorie (born 1941) is a Hong Kong billionaire businessman, and the chairman and 18% owner of CLP Group, Hong Kong's largest electricity producer. He also owns 47% of Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels. He is a member of the Ka ...

(12th), the brothers Tung Chee-hwa and Chee-chen (17th) and Chan Tan Ching-fen, widow of Chan Tseng-His (35th).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Four Big Families Of Hong Kong Four big families Families of Hong Kong History of Hong Kong Political families of China