SHIH Wing-ching
Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa
A citation translated by Dr. KUNG Chi-keung
The Three Keywords
In 1978, 29-year-old SHIH Wing-ching found himself in a fierce conflict between his ideals and reality. Then he was completely galvanized by a single sentence spoken by his mother: “How would you survive without me?” This awakening spurred him to venture into business, where he co-founded a real estate agency with a friend—one that would “never engage in property speculation but commit fully to being a property agent.” He named it “Zhongyuan dichan,” or “Centaline Property” in English. Mr. SHIH explained that the name “zhongyuan,” meaning “Central Plains,” came to him spontaneously, embodying his youthful ambitions and dreams—aiming for the heartland and striving for success. This marked the first indelible keyword in his life.
Before turning 29, Mr. SHIH harbored strong ideals, and was passionate about pursuing his “heartland.” He traveled to the countryside of Mainland China and participated in the “Up to the Mountains and Down to the Villages” movement to experience firsthand the harsh realities faced by the poor and lower-middle class peasants. In Hong Kong, he taught for eight years at an evening school for workers, earning a meager wage. Despite the challenges, he had no regrets and felt that his life was extraordinarily fulfilling. During this time, he read numerous books, including works by the British philosopher Bertrand Russell, as well as The Gadfly by E.L. Voynich and How the Steel Was Tempered by Nikolai Ostrovsky. However, he could not survive on books alone, and often had to rely on his mother’s support to help him through those trying times. Eventually, he channeled his goals from his youthful ideals of the “heartland” into seeking tangible success through the company.
In 1992, Mr. SHIH took full control of Centaline Property Agency Limited. He was now able to execute the business philosophy and strategies he had envisioned, expanding the company from Hong Kong to the Mainland, his “heartland.” Through dedication and hard work, he established over 2,000 branches nationwide, employing more than 40,000 staff. At this stage, Centaline achieved wealth-building for him and left an indelible mark in his life.
In business, Mr. SHIH adopts a 3-3-3 strategy, dividing profits equally among employees, shareholders, and the company. He wants to ensure that workers receive their fair share of rewards. He founded “am730” and applied these same principles.
In July 2005, “am730,” Hong Kong’s third free newspaper, was launched. This marked the second keyword in his life. The newspaper targets students and white-collar workers. For them, “7:30 a.m.” represents a fresh start every morning as they head to schools or offices—a time of day that pulsates with energy and life. Every day, Mr. SHIH communicates his unique news perspectives and ideas to the public. Through his daily news column, “C View,” he discusses current affairs and shares business insights, life experiences, and his business philosophy that values the free market and “non-interventionist” principles. Regardless of the topic, he stays attuned to the pulse of the times and is unafraid to voice his opinions.
In 2022, he completely revamped the “am730” website and mobile app. By this point, in addition to being a businessman, he had evolved into a media personality and respected columnist. Through “am730,” he has put his life philosophy into practice and embarked on the path to becoming a cultural figure.
The third keyword is “Foundation.”
In his early years, Mr. SHIH made a number of charitable donations, showing a keen interest in improving the social distribution of resources through philanthropy. In 1994, he established the “SHIH Wing-Ching Foundation,” donating shares worth up to $4.5 billion from Centaline Property Agency Limited of Hong Kong and China to address the “Three Rural Issues” related to rural development on the Mainland: agriculture, rural areas, and peasants. He later donated his personal shares in “am730,” solidifying his role as a philanthropist.
Two Inscriptions
Two inscriptions are displayed in Mr. SHIH’s office, reflecting his most deeply-held beliefs.
The first reads, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This highlights his intention and purpose in establishing his Foundation, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to society and improving it. Not only does society benefit, but he also feels “more blessed.”
The second inscription comes from the closing lines of the famous poem “The Fisherman,” attributed to Qu Yuan:
“When the Canglang’s water is clear, I can wash my tassel;
When the Canglang’s water is muddy, I can wash my feet.”
This encapsulates Mr. SHIH’s philosophy of life and path to success. Whether in good times or bad, he approaches changes in the world with equanimity.
A Sympathetic Heart
In his early years, while traversing the heartland, Mr. SHIH witnessed the plight of impoverished peasants:
“They had no oxen, so they pulled the plow with their shoulders, which became swollen, inflamed, and bleeding. Yet, they still had to pull, without even enough clothing. Later, there was a saying: ‘peasants truly suffer, the countryside is truly poor, and agriculture is truly backward.’ Thus, I have always been concerned about the living conditions of peasants.”
These experiences motivated him to establish his Foundation. His compassion was also inspired by Bertrand Russell, who spoke of “unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.” His empathy has driven Mr. SHIH to care deeply for society’s well-being, thus fulfilling his lifelong mission.
Mr. SHIH Wing-ching, who has built his business from the ground up, speaks candidly and actively contributes to society, serving as an inspiring example for students to follow. Therefore, I respectively invite our Provost, Professor Hu, to confer upon Mr. SHIH the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa.