Donation of RMB 100 million to the Palace Museum

The Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation has pledged RMB100 million to the Palace Museum to support heritage research and conservation of the Palace of Prolonging Happiness (Yanxi Gong) as well as the establishment of a gallery of foreign artefacts. The signing ceremony of the donation was held at the Palace Museum in Beijing on 2 March 2019; it was graced by the Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Luo Shu-Gang, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China; Mr Zhang Xiao-Ming, Director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office; Mr Wang Zhi-Min, Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Liu Yu-Zhu, Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration; Dr Shan Ji-Xiang, Director of the Palace Museum and other esteemed guests.

Yanxi Gong is one of the Six Eastern Palaces in the inner zone of the Forbidden City. It was built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Yong-Le (1403-1424) of the Ming Dynasty, and has served as the residence of court concubines during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. During the reign of Xuantong (1909-1911), construction of a western-style, three-storey building was initiated on the site of Yanxi Gong. Named Lingzhao Belvedere (also known as Crystal Palace or the Hall of Water), it is the only western-style building in the Forbidden City. The building was built on white marble foundation with cast-iron hexagonal pavilion structure, it was adorned with intricately carved white marble façade and coloured porcelain tiles. The construction illustrates cultural exchanges and how traditional Chinese form of arts and architecture blends with Western style. Yanxi Gong was converted into the warehouse of antiques of Palace Museum in 1931. It will house the Gallery of Foreign Artefacts after restoration.

Mr Robert Ng, Chairman of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said at the signing ceremony, ‘The Palace is China’s national treasure. It epitomizes the highest level of traditional Chinese architectural prowess as well as Chinese philosophy and art. The Belt and Road Initiative not only entails hardware like infrastructure, it also aims to promote Chinese culture and exchanges with other countries.’

Mr Daryl Ng, Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Deputy Chairman of Sino Group, said, ‘China is one of the earliest civilisations, it is important for us to safeguard cultural heritage. We are honoured to have the opportunity to support restoration of such a unique landmark. Lingzhao Belvedere of Yanxi Gong is the only Western-style building in the Forbidden City, it retains the Chinese culture while harmoniously blending in Western architecture. This remarkable example of East-meets-West, created in the Forbidden City more than 110 years ago, shows that China has been open to different cultures. The Belt and Road Initiative continues this spirit, and promotes cultural development with other countries. The pledge will be used to support restoration of Yanxi Gong. After restoration, the palace will be an attractive destination for visitors and for those who want to better understand Chinese culture. More importantly, exchange programmes and workshops will be offered to Hong Kong youths to help them appreciate the value and craft of the Forbidden City first-hand.’

The signing ceremony was graced by the Honourable Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Luo Shu-Gang, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China; Mr Zhang Xiao-Ming, Director of Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office; Mr Wang Zhi-Min, Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr Liu Yu-Zhu, Director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration; Dr Shan Ji-Xiang, Director of the Palace Museum and other esteemed guests.

Ng Teng Fong Scholarship

The Ng family founded Ng Teng Fong Scholarship in 2015 to provide education related financial aid. The scholarship is supported by Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation with HK$100 million as a seed fund. It focuses on rewarding outstanding secondary school and university students from underprivileged families in Fujian, Ningxia, Sichuan, Chongqing, Guangdong and Hong Kong, helping them receive better education.

Mr Alexander Ng, Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Group General Manager of Sino Group, shared, ‘Every young person is full of limitless potential. The development of society relies on human talent; in turn, the quality of talent relies on education. The purpose of the Ng Teng Fong Scholarship is to create a better learning environment for our youth and to cultivate Hong Kong’s future leaders.’

Over the past four years, about 2,400 students have been awarded with Ng Teng Fong Scholarship, totalling an amount of nearly HK$12 million.

Donation to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charitable Trust in Hong Kong

The Foundation supported the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Charitable Trust to purchase a Mobile Digital Radiography System for the Accident & Emergency Department (A&E) in Hong Kong.

The system will enhance the clinical services in A&E by providing prompt imaging support in the resuscitation zone. Hence, the overall patient management process could be expedited and streamlined. Around 3,000 patients would be benefited from this System annually.

Sponsorship for Elevator Pitch Competition 2018

The Foundation supported the Elevator Pitch Competition 2018 (EPiC). EPiC is a fun-filled international start-up event organised by Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. The competition is open to start-ups with less than 5 years’ establishment or individuals with innovate ideas who have received less than US$10 million investment funding. 100 start-ups will be selected to pitch their ideas in a 60-second elevator ride at the International Commerce Centre, the most iconic skyscraper in Hong Kong. They will compete for the chance to win an investment prize of up to US$120,000.

Support ‘The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards’

‘The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards’, which has been title-sponsored by Sino Group since its inception in 2013, has earned high recognition in the local social services community. It is designed to honour the individuals and groups who embrace heartfelt attitude and insightful ideas to extend their help and make substantial efforts to create positive impact on the lives of others. Together with the support from the communities and the public, the Awards recognises these ordinary people’s extraordinary endeavours and inspires philanthropic support among the community.

Mr Daryl Ng, Director of the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation and Deputy Chairman of Sino Group, urged for more public support of this meaningful deed, ‘We are delighted to support “The Spirit of Hong Kong Awards” to honour and celebrate Hong Kong’s unsung heroes whose quiet but significant contributions give us all inspiration. Their Lion Rock spirit of kindness, courage and determination inspire us to make our city a more caring, vibrant and better place to live.’

Support Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer's Disease

The Foundation donated HK$2 million to the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease, a nonprofit charity organisation founded in 2010 by the late Professor Charles K. Kao and his wife, Mrs. Gwen Kao. The Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease aims to raise public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease / dementia, educate the general public on brain health care strategies, as well as enhance care and support to Alzheimer’s patients, their families and caregivers.