On November 16, the Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and the Ningbo Municipal People's Government held the Commemorative Conference on the 100th Anniversary of YK Pao's Birth. Born in Ningbo in 1918, YK Pao was an influential figure both in China and globally during his long career as a banker, industrialist and shipping magnate, or "the Shipping King." Over the years, YK Pao and his family have made significant contributions to develop their hometown of Ningbo, including major donations to Ningbo University and other charity projects.
Zheng Zhajie, deputy secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and secretary of the Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and Tan Tieniu, deputy director of the Hong Kong Liaison Office, spoke at the ceremony. Also in attendance were the following officials: Qiu Dongyao, deputy secretary of the Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and Ningbo mayor; Yu Hongyi, director of the Ningbo Municipal People's Congress Standing Committee; Yang Xubiao, chairman of the Ningbo Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference; Song Yueshun, deputy secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, and Yu Jianming, deputy director of the No. 10 Bureau of the United Front Work Department.
Philip Sohmen, YK Pao's grandson, the chairman of Ningbo Overseas Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Committee, and Founder of YK Pao School, spoke on behalf of the family. He vividly recounted his grandfather’s contributions to China's reform and opening up, Hong Kong's reunification with China, the investment in education, and the development of his hometown Ningbo. Philip Sohmen also shared his grandfather's life-long motto: "Exercise persistently, Use sparingly, Work diligently." As part of a new generation of young entrepreneurs from Ningbo, Philip Sohmen shared his hopes:
Today we gather here to commemorate YK Pao and express our hopes for future generations. The older generation of the Ningbo Gang, including my grandfather, started from scratch. These self-made generations achieved great success internationally, yet they never forgot their roots. Their contributions to Ningbo over the years have enriched this fine city's spirit for future generations. Today, many third and fourth-generation members of the Ningbo Gang have returned to Ningbo. Many of us have a global perspective, from our international work and learning experience. Younger generations with roots in Ningbo should contribute to the development of our hometown by channeling the spirit of the older generations, and combine that with innovation and pragmatism, and an open mind. As the president of the Ningbo Overseas Youth Talent Innovation and Entrepreneurship Committee, I hope to play a leading role in these development efforts. We aim to uphold Ningbo's distinct innovative and entrepreneurial characteristics as well as YK Pao's patriotic sentiments, to ensure that the Ningbo spirit is passed on to future generations.
Also in attendance at the conference were members of the Pao family, various luminaries from China and abroad, and representatives from the following organizations: the Ningbo academicians of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, Ningbo Hong Kong Fellowship Association, Ningbo Hongkong Friendship Association, International Ningbo Merchants Association, Ningbo Taipei Fellowship Association, and the General Association of Ningbo Entrepreneurs.
In addition to the Commemorative Conference on the 100th Anniversary of YK Pao's Birth, the city of Ningbo held many other events, including the Opening Ceremony of YK Pao Memorial Hall at YK Pao's former residence and the launch ceremony of YK Pao Tracks in Ningbo University.
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up, the Global Ningbo Community and Development Partnership Conference was also held in Ningbo. The event attracted more than 700 members of the "Ningbo Gang" (from 25 countries and regions), who reflected on the the past and expressed their hopes for a bright future in an amicable environment. Mrs. Sohmen, daughter of YK Pao and Founder of YK Pao School, expressed her commitment and support to Ningbo at the event.
Source: Ningbo Daily, the United Front Work Department of Ningbo
