Ronnie Chan


Ronnie Chan Chi-chung is a Hong Kong billionaire businessman.

Education

In 1976, Chan received his MBA from the University of Southern California.
Chan has received honorary doctorates from Tel Aviv University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Career

In 1991, he became the chairman of Hang Lung Group and its subsidiary Hang Lung Properties. As of 2014, it was one of the largest real estate developers in Hong Kong. He succeeded the chairman position in the companies from his uncle. He is also the vice-president of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, a Co-Chairman of the Asia Society and Chairman of its Hong Kong Center, and an advisor to the China Development Research Foundation of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
He has served on the governing or advisory bodies of several think-tanks and universities, including China Foreign Affairs University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and his alma mater, the University of Southern California.
He was a director of Enron Corporation and a member of its audit committee when it filed for bankruptcy as a result of fraud. In November 2009, he attended the Horasis Global China Business Meeting in Lisbon, where his criticisms of American financial policy garnered widespread attention.

Political views

Through his companies' multiple votes on Hong Kong's democratic 'Election Committee', Chan supported Carrie Lam for the role of Chief Executive. But in 2019, during the massive protests that rocked the territory, he opined that having a civil servant in the role was the “most ridiculous thing” and that Lam's "unwise policies" had contributed to the unrest, which he emphasised was down to political, not social, issues. He also supported Leung Chun-ying in the 2013 election for Chief Executive.
He holds that Hongkongers' "DNA is different from the mainlanders’ because many escaped from there,” noting that “Hong Kong people cherish freedom,.. while mainland Chinese people value patriotism and nationalism.”

Philanthropy

In September 2014, Chan's family, through their Morningside Foundation, donated US$350 million and US$20 million to Harvard University and the University of Southern California, respectively.
In 1996, Chan began providing yearly financial assistance to needy students at top universities in China.

Personal life

Chan's brother Gerald Chan is also a director of Hang Lung Group.
Chan is married to Barbara Chan and has two sons.
In 2004, Chan's son Adriel Chan received his bachelor's degree in international relations from USC. Chan's other son Adley Chan earned his bachelor's degree in sociology, as well as bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees in occupational therapy from USC.