Mr. Lim Por-yen (1914-2005) was one of Hong Kong’s most well-known industrialists and philanthropists. He was the founder of the Lai Sun Group, and the permanent honorary chairman of Asia Television Limited. Before the return of Hong Kong to China, he was appointed a Hong Kong Affairs Advisor and a member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Preparatory Committee and Election Committee.

Mr. Lim was a native of Chaoyang, Shantou City, Guangdong. His father, Mr. Lim Hin-chee, was a well-known factory owner and banker, who moved to Hong Kong in the 1930’s to carry on his business. Mr. Lim was brought to Hong Kong by his father, and studied in Munsang College, Kowloon City. He later entered a private school and studied classical Chinese literature.

In 1935, on his father’s instructions, Mr. Lim returned to Shantou to start learning how to do business. He first worked in a money-exchange shop operated by his uncle. Later, he joined Kai Sing Bank, starting at the most junior level. He worked very hard, and kept on studying at night, developing his life-long characteristics of industry and thrift.