Dr. Daniel Tse Chi-wai, GBS, CBE, JP was former Independent Non- Executive Director of Hon Kwok Land Investment and President Emeritus of Hong Kong Baptist University. For a quarter of a century, Dr. Tse has provided impartial and professional advice that has shaped the Group’s key decisions. His immense contribution has been pivotal to the Group’s success. Dr. Tse and Dr. James Wong Sai-wing first met each other in their humbling years of being university students when they went to study in the United States in the 1950s.

Both distinguished themselves academically and have been witness to the remarkable growth of the Group. A renowned educator, Dr. Tse has profoundly impacted both in the higher education arena, and the Hong Kong and Macau communities. His distinguished achievements include being appointed Justice of the Peace in 1977. He was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 1991, and subsequently Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1998. He was further conferred the Golden Bauhinia Star by the Hong Kong SAR Government in 1998, and the Educational Merit Medal by the Macau SAR Government in 2014.

The two academic leaders first crossed paths in the 1950s while studying at the Baptist College campus (now Pui Ching Middle School), where they quickly formed a strong bond. As they prepared for their studies in the U.S., Dr. Tse, despite receiving a scholarship to attend Baylor University, found himself struggling with the cost of transatlantic travel. In a generous gesture, Dr. Wong came to his aid, arranging for a loan of US$350 from his father to ease his dear friend financial burden. This act of kindness solidified their lifelong friendship. Dr. Tse fondly recalls how, along with Mr. Wong Sing-han, an assistant lecturer at Baptist College, the three rented a spacious room in the U.S. They humorously dubbed their shared living space “Wong-Tse Hall” a testament to their support for one another during their academic journeys.

Dr. Tse later switched his focus to physics and, upon returning to Hong Kong, began teaching at Baptist College. His tireless efforts helped elevate the institution to university status, where he served as President of Hong Kong Baptist University for 30 years starting in 1971. In addition to his academic contributions, Dr. Tse held numerous prestigious public positions in Hong Kong and Macau. Meanwhile, Dr. Wong pursued a career in mathematics, becoming a professor at the University of Iowa. Upon returning to Hong Kong, he took on the management of his family business while continuing to promote education. In recognition of his significant contributions, Dr. Wong was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Hong Kong in 2013.

Dr. Tse recalled, “There was a consensus in the academic circle that only Dr. James Wong could excel in both business and academia. He was widely recognized for his remarkable accomplishments in business while continuing to publish papers in the field of mathematics.”

Dr. Tse also acknowledges Dr. Wong’s continued collaboration with Professor Kwong Man-kam, Head of the Mathematics Department at Baptist University. Together, they furthered research and published influential papers in mathematics, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to benefit future generations.

As a former Independent Non-Executive Director of Hon Kwok Land Investment, Dr. Tse observes that Dr. Wong was always a gentleman. Though he is a man of few words, he always speaks with great insight. “At the annual gala dinners, whenever Dr. Wong shared his perspectives on global trends and economic developments, his views are always taken seriously by the guests. His business wisdom and management style are as exceptional as his mathematical expertise,” Dr. Tse said.

Built on its dedication of five decades, the Chinney Group has made significant contributions to society. Dr. Tse encourages everyone within the Group to uphold a culture of integrity and continue striving for excellence. “I wish Dr. Wong’s successor even greater success in the next fifty years,” Dr. Tse remarked.