The 19th Asian Games is hosted by Hangzhou, with its coastal events ‒ sailing and beach volleyball ‒ staged in Ningbo. At 9:00 a.m. on September 12, the opening torch relay for the Games reached the Ningbo, whose contribution is celebrated by the slogan Coastal Ningbo, Sail the World. Among the 170 eminent relay runners from all walks of life was YK Pao School Executive Deputy Chairman Philip Sohmen, the 54th torchbearer in the series.
Reported by Zhejiang TV
"I am particularly excited today,” said Sohmen. “My grandfather, Mr. YK Pao, left Ningbo and went global, and today I have the opportunity to return to my hometown to take part in the torch relay. There is a feeling of coming home, it is particularly moving." Mr. YK Pao was born in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. He worked in Shanghai's banking industry before moving to Hong Kong to found the World-Wide Shipping Group, which went on to become one of the world's preeminent shipping companies. This success earned YK Pao the nickname ‘King of the Sea.’ During his lifetime, YK Pao made significant contributions to Chinese Reform and Opening, Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and the development of his hometown Ningbo.
YK Pao swimming in the Suez Canal
Mr. YK Pao’s lifetime motto has been ‘Exercise persistently, use sparingly, work diligently’ ‒ reflecting his values of self-discipline, pragmatism, and respect for education. Ningbo native Sohmen said: "The spirit of the older generation of the Ningbo Gang is very special, pragmatic, low-key, honest, innovative, and with an open vision of the world, I hope this spirit will be passed on from generation to generation like a torch."
Mr. Sohmen, member the Standing Committee of Ningbo CPPCC, is the Vice Chairman of the Ningbo Youth Federation, Chairman of the Ningbo Overseas Young Talents Innovation and Entrepreneurship Committee, and Honorary Chairman of the Ningbo Yacht Industry Association. In 2017 he co-founded the ChinaOne.Ningbo Siling Team, to promote Chinese sailing and sailing culture, the development of coastal cities and the popularization of the industry, as well as the promotion of sailing in schools, and of youth sailing training. The ChinaOne.Ningbo Sailing Team has achieved remarkable results in many world-class sailing competitions, strengthening exchanges between outstanding international crews and domestic sailing athletes, and establishing an accessible platform for professional Chinese sailors.
The ChinaOne.Ningbo Sailing Team is among the most successful professional speed sailing teams in China. It has won the world's top sailing championships four times, the M32 Catamaran World Championship twice, and the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) championship. In the M32 Catamaran European Series, held in May this year, the ChinaOne.Ningbo Sailing Team again led in points and won this race. This competition has become a high level speed sailing event recognised by the ISAF for its complete race organisation and first-class competitive standard, at a level that is comparable to that of the Olympic Games.
Mr. Sohmen, a 3rd generation Pao family member, has consistently upheld the family’s traditions, including its commitment to the development of education, culture and sports. As a director of the China Overseas Friendship Association, he is based in both Shanghai and Hong Kong, and actively contributes to the promotion of ‘one country, two systems’ and cross-straits peace. As the vice president of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Youth Association and the Executive Committee of the Shanghai-Hong Kong Economic Development Association, he has played an important role in helping the young people of Hong Kong and Macao develop patriotic affection for their motherland, and helped to enhance their exchanges with counterparts on the mainland.
