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A number of prestigious mainland Chinese universities, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Fudan University, sent their condolences on Tuesday for the death of Lee Shau-kee, the founder of the Henderson Land Group, referring to him as a renowned entrepreneur and benefactor who made substantial contributions to mainland education.
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The Tsinghua University Education Foundation shared a tribute on its WeChat public account today, celebrating Lee's remarkable contributions to the business and educational sectors. They highlighted his journey from an early entrepreneur to a real estate titan, noting his profound impact on Tsinghua through his firm belief in "educating the nation."
Similarly, Fudan University's WeChat public account featured an article honoring Lee, who served as a board member during its fourth session in 2007. That same year, he founded the "Lee Shau Kee Scholarship," which provided financial assistance for Hong Kong students studying at Fudan.
In September 2008, the "Lee Shau Kee Library" was inaugurated at Fudan University's Jiangwan Campus. Constructed with a generous donation of RMB100 million from Lee, the library set a new standard for academic libraries across the country.
Peking University also published an article reflecting on Lee's philanthropic philosophy. Lee was quoted as saying, "In my charitable efforts, I prioritize education above all, as its benefits extend beyond the students to their families and future generations, yielding substantial societal returns."
He added that his contributions to Peking University, including scholarships and the construction of the Lee Shau Kee Humanities Buildings, were aimed at promoting Chinese culture and fostering talent development.
Lee has long viewed his contributions to education as a vital investment. In an interview, he reflected on his philosophy and stated that "Choose well, choose right, and the results and returns will be significant."
He took particular pride in the Hong Kong Pei Hua Education Foundation, established in 1982, which has significantly impacted remote and impoverished regions by training over 1.2 million farmers, all of whom secured employment post-training. Lee estimated that this initiative indirectly benefited around 3.4 million people, based on an average household size of three.
Highlighting the effectiveness of his philanthropic approach, Lee remarked on the exponential impact of education over direct financial aid, emphasizing the principle of "one teaching ten, ten teaching a hundred."
He believes that even minimal financial contributions, amplified by personal effort, can yield substantial results. "Sometimes just a little money from me, plus my own efforts, even one yuan, can be as effective as ten," he said, advocating for a focus on impact rather than the amount donated.
Lee humorously noted that he hadn't kept track of the total sum of his donations, underscoring his belief that the true value of charity lies in its ability to multiply and extend its benefits far beyond the initial investment.
