China’s central government held a high-profile symposium on May 10 in Beijing to pay tribute to Hong Kong philanthropist and patriotic business legend Henry Fok Ying-tung, marking his 100th birth anniversary and commemorating his contribution to the nation. 

The holding of this symposium reflected a remarkably high level of courtesy for a businessman in China.

In recent years, there has been much debate within Hong Kong society over what kind of people our younger generation should aspire to become. From Fok’s life story, we can see the perfect role model for today’s Hong Kong youth. 

Born in Hong Kong in 1923, Fok had humble beginnings. Having lost his father at an early age, he dropped out of school during the Japanese invasion during World War II. This would indeed have been an unfavorable start for any young person in any part of the world. 

Fok later entered the transportation business and worked his way to success. And that was when he came to a crossroads. During the Korean War in the early 1950s, China was embargoed by the West; the then-British Hong Kong government strictly banned the export of wartime materials to the Chinese mainland in response. Fok provided ships to transport essential supplies like medicine and iron sheets to the mainland to support the country.

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That was a tough decision for him. Under the wartime sanctions, such a move could have bankrupted his business. At the same time, the Chinese mainland was still in ruins and the market was weak, with barely any business opportunities. From a business perspective, Fok took a huge risk to help out the mainland. He could have chosen to avoid such risks by working with the British Hong Kong government, and could have profited from the Western-led global economy. But as a young man at that time, he made the decision to jump into that danger and help the nation without hesitation. 

That’s the best portrait of someone who is a patriot — when the motherland faced challenges, or needed help, he always chose to contribute to the nation, even though doing so could have put him in danger

That approach became his motto in life. In the early years of the mainland’s reform and opening-up process, the world was not impressed. Foreign investors mostly took a wait-and-see attitude as the mainland was underdeveloped, with an unfavorable investment environment, unclear prospects and an incomplete policy book. 

It was the Hong Kong business community — among whom Fok was a leader — who took the first steps to invest in the mainland and support the early takeoff of the country’s economy.

“Even if I may lose all my investment (facing all the uncertainties), I would still do it. I just hope that I can trailblaze the way forward and work out some referrable experiences for my country,” Fok once said.

That’s the best portrait of someone who is a patriot — when the motherland faced challenges, or needed help, he always chose to contribute to the nation, even though doing so could have put him in danger. 

Meanwhile, there is always a chicken-or-egg dilemma when people consider whether to take an extra step and contribute to society. Let’s face it, that’s human nature. An ordinary person would always calculate how much they can gain before they give. That’s why nowadays many in society demand help but are reluctant to offer it. 

Fok’s experience tells us the truth: Always contribute first. Let’s put ourselves in his shoes: At the time, how could he have foreseen that the mainland would grow into the second biggest consumer market in the world? He couldn’t have. But he still decided to invest in the mainland out of his unconditional love for the nation, without expecting anything in return. 

A philosophical paradox is presented here: When you take a utilitarian point of view, you may never get the best result. Instead, when you do something out of pure love, you are more likely achieve it. Only after everyone contributes can a society, a nation become better. And when the country gets better, everyone will in turn have a better life. 

John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the US, once famously said: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. This is so true as to be a universal value. Fok’s life story proved this principle.

Moreover, patriotism is also a matter of how to maximize your expertise to help the nation. 

In 1993, Fok became a vice chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top political advisory body. At that time, the central government and the Chinese people hoped he could promote Hong Kong-mainland joint ventures, as the 1997 reunification was at the top of the political agenda for the country. As an active businessman, fulfilling this task already took up almost all his spare time. But Fok, out of his vision and love for the country, put in extra efforts to deepen China’s diplomatic ties with Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, through his personal connections with the business and community leaders there. And that move achieved fruitful results and became part of the foundation of the country’s status as ASEAN’s biggest trading partner. 

He could have done what he was expected to do and still been highly recognized by history. But he took the initiative to help expand China’s national interest. What a pure patriot! 

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Fok also embodied our traditional virtues — he was hardworking, contributed to society, and did what was good for the country, regardless of personal gain or loss. Let alone the philanthropic work he did throughout his entire life.  

Nowadays, society calls for patriots who love both the country and Hong Kong, and who can serve as role models. Fok makes the best portrait for that: He risked his business prospects to help the country at a time of crisis, devoted his life to push forward the nation’s development, and applied his vision and expertise to help promote the nation’s development. 

If I had the opportunity to pick the best role model for today’s young people, I would nominate Henry Fok without a doubt. And I strongly believe that Hong Kong youth should carry on with Fok’s spirit. And with that, the city and the nation will become much better places. 

The author is a member of the Hunan Province Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Y. Elites Association.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.