Value of Life

Mr. Lim’s industry originated in textile business, but his real work was the legendary philanthropy shown by him all those years. In those difficult years, the poor people might have no clothes to wear. So Mr. Lim started his career by using needles and threads. In 1945, he opened Sing Fook Knitting Factory in Hong Kong. In 1947, he set up Lai Sun Garment Manufacturing Company and by his hard work, he created employment and a legend.

 

In the 1950’s, textile was a key factor of Hong Kong’s economy. Doing business at those days could not rely on empty words. There were no magnificent blue-prints, but only orders for prompt delivery of finished products. One could only keep on working diligently with his head looking down, and upholding his breast to meet the challenge. One had to broaden his view by looking at the world and keep marching forward to open new markets. Mr. Lim kept working diligently with the people of Hong Kong, and through a long journey when Hong Kong became an international city named as “The Pearl of the Orient,” he succeeded in building an “Empire of Enterpreur.” We Hong Kong people can turn from yesterday’s difficulties wearing shabby clothing to to-day’s glamorous dressing, all due to the kindness of our textile industry pioneer and the glory of Mr. Lim Por-yen’s production. Apart from our gratitude to our parents for giving us clothing and food, we also cherish the memory of a highly respectable senior person for delivering warmth to us at times of poverty.

 

Form garment manufacturing to food and dining industry, and from building industry to entertainment business, Mr. Lim’s success leads to Hong Kong’s success. But as Mr. Lim looked back to the origins of his success, he came to realize the utmost wisdom of human life. He never took pride of his own health, but kept worrying about public’s suffering and bitterness. He kept encouraging himself: “One’s life does not lie, with his breath, his ability to work, his hunger for food or thirst for drinks, but with his ability to show the value of his life.”

 

How many businessmen can extricate from the obstacle of “price” and look up to the sky of “value”? Mr. Lim shared his wealth with the society by donating money to build libraries in his home country, and donating money in Hong Kong to develop education and art. He showed his deep concern in medical care and the public’s health. In 2003, when Hong Kong was attacked by the world shocking SARS which took away 300 citizen’s lives, he was greatly saddened and to fulfill his mission as a Hong Kong belonger, he donated great quantities of material and money to the front-line nursing staff and the Red Cross Society. He showed his kind concern for Hong Kong and China, and that kept on until the disappearance of the SARS and the return of bright days.