He was a cowherd who sailed to South East Asia to escape the Second Opium War. The New York Times called him the Rockefeller of the East.
A Chinese Consul based in Penang, he became a mandarin of the Highest Order, a Consul General of the Ching Government, the Special Trade Commissioner for South East Asia, director of China's first railway, China's last mandarin and first capitalist.
He established China's first winery (Chang Yu Winery) with imported cuttings from the US as well as Europe. He built the first Chinese school in Penang.
He assisted fellow Hakka Dr Sun Yat Sen, in funding the revolution against the Manchus in 1911. As one of the main donors of the Kek Lok Si Temple, his statue has the highest place of honour today. His death was marked by flags flown at half mast by the British and the Dutch in the East.
I first heard about him last month after watching Part One of "South of the Ocean."
His name is Cheong Fatt Tze.
All that's left of him today is his Mansion in Penang. It is called The Blue Mansion.
All that's left of him today is his Mansion in Penang. It is called The Blue Mansion.
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