Mr. Jackson Leung Sze Mau, Chairman of Golden Island Cable Company based in Hong Kong, though in his seventies, seems full of energy and is still working hard in his company.
Half a century ago, he was the young boy who presented the bouquet on behalf of the nation to Premier Zhou Enlai during the Asian-African Conference held at Bandung in 1955. Later, in his youth, he became a pioneer for the reform and opening up in his motherland — China.
As a businessman with philosophy embedded in his entrepreneurship, he is also a civil diplomat who furthers the economic ties between China and his birthplace Indonesia.
Present bouquet to Former Premier
Leung has cultivated patriotism since childhood. Born in western Java, Indonesia in 1940, Leung is a thirdgeneration overseas Chinese. His grandfather went to Indonesia for a living at the end of the 19th century. Like other overseas Chinese, the Leung family have the virtues of diligence, thrift, enduring adversity and running business after accumulating a little wealth.
With strong attachments to the motherland China, Leung received his education in a Chinese school. Leung clearly remembered that in late 1949, he returned to school after a holiday and find that the school was newly painted, with photos of Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai and Zhu De on the wall. He learned from the headmaster and teachers that the People’s Republic of China was founded. He was so excited to think that overseas Chinese finally had the protection from the Chinese government and people.
The Asian-African Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955 was a result of changes in the situations in Asia and Africa and the burgeoning movements of national independence after the World War II. It marked the beginning of the cooperation between Asian and African countries. It is a milestone in China’s history on the world stage. At such an important moment in history, Leung, outstanding in conduct and academic achievement, was chosen to present a bouquet to Premier Zhou Enlai, and received care and encouragement from Ali Sastroamidjojo, Prime Minister of Indonesia. This enviable experience planted the root of patriotism into the mind of Leung.
Since 2010, Leung, as an important witness of the Asian-African Conference, was invited by the Foreign Ministry of Indonesia and the AsianAfrican Conference Museum, to tell people, especially young people, about that period of history.
Leung published the Chinese version of the handbook of the Museum of Asian-African Conference according to information provided by the museum, with a view to revitalizing solidarity between Asian and African nations, and to strengthening friendly exchanges between China and Indonesia.
Recalling the time when he presented flowers to Premier Zhou and shook his hands at the Bandung Conference, Leung said, “That was the most touching moment in my life. Whenever I think of that moment, I feel inspired by Premier Zhou’s warm smile, noble character, and patriotism.”
Concerns for the homeland
China’s economy ushered in a new chapter with the reform and openingup policy since 1978. As pioneers of economic reform and opening up of the market, overseas Chinese funded enterprises were the first to invest in China and made the largest amount of investment. Overseas Chinese not only brought in funds and projects, but also advanced technology and management. They are the most active and enthusiastic supporters of the reform and opening up. Leung is the most outstanding one in this regard. Leung always has a sincere heart for the motherland.
Leung is a calm, low-profile, decent and philanthropic businessman. He is good at doing research and listen to the suggestions of the team. During the interview with China’s Foreign Trade, he mentioned theories on practice and contradictions for many times, and he is good at finding the major contradictions. Knowledge in philosophy has contributed to his success in business.
Leung, with his rich experience in communications cables, has been a pioneer in China’s communication infrastructure development during 1982- 2000. He had won the biddings for numerous times in renovation projects of the mainland in the field of communications, making significant contributions to the industry’s development. Due to his efforts, foreign exchange valued at billions of U. S. dollars was saved. Also, Leung led the first Business Delegation of the Heavy Industries of the Republic of Korea to China in late 1980s. He has been a pioneer in introducing Korean investment to China.
When Hong Kong was to return to the motherland 15 years ago, Leung was so excited that he, together with his colleagues with the Hong Kong Overseas Chinese General Association, organized various activities for the celebration themed around the return. The influential activities included artistic performances, music works collection, and even a Yangge dance (popular folk dance) to welcome the the People’s Liberation Army troops.
“I have the responsibility and duty to unite overseas Chinese to do something for the return, by using my identity as a patriotic businessman in the civil organizations,” Leung wrote in an article for the 10th anniversary of the return of Hong Kong.
Moreover, Leung has always been one of the first to help whenever he knew his motherland was suffering. And he would do his best to call for other overseas Chinese to offer support.
During the SARS outbreak in 2003, Leung donated RMB180, 000 worth of drugs, resources, and 3,000 sets of SARS isolation gowns, protective caps, shoe covers and other protective equipment. Besides, he organized the president and members of the Hong Kong Association for Promoting Peaceful Reunification of China to donate tens of thousands sets of protective clothing to Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shandong, Hebei and other provinces.
Leung is most commendable for his devotion to the Beijing Olympic Games. After Beijing’s successful Olympic bid in 2001, Leung, as a member of the People’s Political Consultative Conference of Beijing, actively liaised with overseas Chinese people and associations to raise funds for the construction of Olympic venues.
In order to raise as much funds as possible, he proposed many donation plans. One of the plan was that anyone who donate US$100 for the construction of venues can have his or her name engraved on a monumental brick. This plan was widely accepted by overseas Chinese.
Leung also actively promoted Beijing Olympics overseas. He took full advantage of his connections, and called on religious, clan, alumni associations, and overseas Chinese groups in Southeast Asian countries to participate into the Olympic Games. Thanks to his efforts, over 52,000 people donated to the Olympic Games. Everything he did was purely out of love for his motherland. It’s fair to say Leung is the most dedicated volunteer for the Beijing Olympics. Leung said, “My intention is simple, I want our future generations to know that this generation has made contributions to the country.”
Leung was awarded the title of Outstanding Person in Promoting the Olympics by the Beijing Municipality for his outstanding contributions. “It was such a great surprise. I didn’t expect it.”
Leung was invited to be present at the parade in honor of the 60th anniversary of the founding the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 2009. Asked about this experience, he said proudly,“The motherland didn’t forget us.”
Bridge between China and Indonesia
As a Chinese born overseas, Leung is not only attached to his motherland China, but also active in promoting trade relations and exchanges between China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Japan and other Asian countries.
When the South Indian Ocean tsunami ravaged Indonesia in 2004, Leung immediately participated in the North Sumatera Chinese Societies Disaster Relief Committee organized by the 65 Chinese social organizations in the Province of North Sumatera. Thanks to his efforts, the China-Indonesia Friendship Village was founded in July 19, 2007, under the aid of China Charity Federation, China Red Cross and the China Hydropower Engineering Group Corporation.
A groundbreaking ceremony of the village was held on May 18, 2006 in Niheng Village, Aceh Besar County, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Covering an area of 22.4 hectares, the village has a total of 606 two-bedroom houses, each of 42 square meters. Made of brick and concrete, the houses are resistant to 8- magnitude earthquakes, 11-scale typhoons, and are equipped with heat insulation. The houses take on the traditional local style of “Aceh house” and some modern features at the same time, conforming to the local religious habits.
In addition, the village includes schools, nurseries, shops, clinics, halls and gyms and other public buildings and community roads, drains, water towers, electricity and other supporting amenities. Now it has become one of Indonesia’s most unique tourist attractions.
Concerning business, Leung is worried about the fact that many Chinese enterprises only care about immediate profits. He calls on businessmen to have long-term vision, and be honest. In fact, his success in business owes greatly to his foresight, and consideration for the whole picture.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao set a new target of achieving US$80 billion in bilateral trade volume by 2015, at the meeting with Indonesian vice-President Boediono at the China-Indonesia Strategic Business Dialogue held in Jakarta on April 30, 2011. Leung has full confidence in meeting the target.
Today, Leung is still traveling back and forth between China and Indonesia. He is striving to promote trade cooperation and friendly exchanges between the two nations.
