EXTRAORDINARY PERSON HUNG CHI CHING
She is an artist, an industrialist,and a philanthropist all in one. She has been a model, a singer, and a beauty pageant champion, and now serves as the Chairwoman of the Board for several major companies. Tirelessly committed to charity and public welfare, she has earned accolades such as "Chinese Philanthropist"and "Outstanding Figure in Touching China Public Welfare". Renowned for her beauty, grace, and elegance, she leaves a lasting impression with her every gesture. People describe her as “a rare beauty,” “a once-in-a-century female entrepreneur, ” and “a once-in-a-lifetime philanthropist. ” She is Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching, a Chaoshan native who exemplifies the perfect balance of beauty and wisdom. She is a woman of the new era, adorned with countless honors and achievements.
Dame Athena Hung (Hung Chi Ching) Chinese Hongziqing hails from Chaoan Ancestral Home and was born in Shantou City. In 2003, she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Cook University in Australia and later earned an Honorary Doctorate from American International University. She currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Gold Lucky Group Company Limited, HCC Asset Management Limited, and HCC Group Limited. Additionally, she chairs the boards of China Fund and Jufu Capital Group. Beyond these roles, Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching is a major shareholder in several publicly listed companies in Hong Kong. In recent years, she has expanded her business ventures into mining and real estate in mainland China, demonstrating exceptional business acumen and achieving tremendous success.
At just 18 years old, Athena(Catleigh) entered the real estate industry and became a trailblazing entrepreneur. During Hong Kong ’s booming real estate market, her sharp business instincts led her to seize the opportunity to purchase inexpensive land in Shenzhen. By the age of 19, she had earned her first HKD 20 million through land trading. Her business quickly flourished, expanding into diverse fields in Hong Kong and mainland China, including real estate, jewelry, finance, investment, funds, energy, mining, oil, telecommunications, drones, smart parking, 3D printing, large-scale agricultural cloud platforms, and healthcare.
In 2008, Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching established a charitable foundation and launched a series of inspirational charity songs under the album title ‘Walk with Love ’. Songs such as ‘Angel’, ‘You Know Best’, ‘Bittersweet’, ‘Love You for Life ’ , ‘ Happiness is Key ’ , and ‘ The World is Wonderful ’ resonated deeply with audiences in both China and Hong Kong, becoming beloved favorites.
Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching believes that “ success only comes to those who are prepared and willing to endure hardships. ” With the rapid growth of her companies, she now serves as the Chairwoman and CEO of multiple organizations with operations spanning mainland China, Singapore, Dubai, and beyond.
Charity as a vocation, spreading love with sincerity
In 2009, to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching (Hong ziqing)was recognized for her contributions to national development by being featured in the book ‘The Motherland Will Not Forget ’. This prestigious honor placed her alongside 86 other prominent figures from Hong Kong and Macao, including luminaries such as Li Ka Shing, Lee Shau Kee, Robert Kuok Hock Nien, Stanley Ho Hung Sun, Henry Fok Ying Tung, and Cheng Yu Tung. The book has since been permanently housed in the National Museum of China.
During Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching ’s speech at the Boao Confucianism Business Forum in 2020, she reflected on the principles of Confucianism, stating: ‘‘ ‘Benevolence is the heart of man; righteousness is the path of man. ’ The highest virtue lies in cultivating one’s moral character. ” She emphasized that the essence of "Confucian entrepreneurship" is grounded in self-cultivation, governance, and contributing to the nation's prosperity and its people's well-being. True to these ideals, she has spent decades actively participating in philanthropic efforts, including supporting education, fostering orphans, helping the elderly, building water cellars, and conducting anti-drug campaigns.
Under Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching's leadership, the Hung Chi Ching Charitable Fund has left a meaningful impact in countless areas. Additionally, she serves as the charity ambassador for Metro Radio Hong Kong and is a pro bono sponsor of dozens of charitable organizations, including but not limited to The Red Cross Society of China, Médecins Sans Frontières, Hong Chi Association, World Vision Hong Kong, The Salvation Army, Children's Heart Foundation, Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care, Hong Kong CEO Charitable Foundation, Hong Kong Eye Charity Foundation, The Community Chest of Hong Kong, Pok Oi Hospital, Hong Kong Red Cross, Oxfam Hong Kong, Kwai Tsing Lions Club, CECES Hong Kong Council of Early Childhood Education and Services, Watoto Child Care Ministries, Yan Chai Hospital, Po Leung Kuk, Wai Yan Association, Xuan Yuan Education Fund Association, OSJ Radiant Foundation, Luoyang Orphanage,Joyful(Mental Health) Foundation, China International Charity Foundation, China Youth Development Foundation, Yan Oi Tong China SOS Children's Villages Association of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, China Athlete Education Foundation, United Nations Children's Fund, Cancer Translational Research Organization, ORBIS International, and China Women's Development Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching spearheaded the "Hand in Hand – Fighting the Pandemic with Love" initiative alongside the Hong Kong Chinese Industry & Commerce Association. Through this effort, she mobilized support from various sectors to donate funds and supplies for pandemic relief. On December 20, 2020, she was invited to serve as the Vice Chairwoman of the Beijing Zhong Nanshan Innovation Public Welfare Foundation. At the National Science and Technology Innovation Conference held in 2016, Academician Zhong Nanshan was awarded the sole highest achievement award by the Chinese Academy of Engineering among the 1,608 academicians and 3,000 scientific and technological experts. The "Zhong Nanshan Innovation Award," approved by the National Science and Technology Rewards Office, is an international award aimed at rewarding inventions and creations by young inventors. The foundation aims to promote scientific innovation and support young inventors, aligning with Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching's belief that “ the rejuvenation of the country depends on science and technology, and the strength of youth signifies the strength of the nation.”
To date, Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching has invested hundred of millions of dollars under her foundation, and her cumulative contributions to public welfare over the years likely exceed a total of hundreds of millions of dollars. Her unwavering dedication has earned her widespread recognition and numerous prestigious honors, including: World Outstanding Chinese Award; China Philanthropist Award; China Top Ten Brand Women Award; Touching China Outstanding Person Award; Patriotic Star of the Chinese Worldwide; Academician at the World Academy of Productivity Sciences; Honorary Citizen of Washington State, USA; Top Ten Philanthropists in Asia; Asia Pacific’s Most Socially Responsible Economic Leader; Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award of the United States; Dame of Malta, Europe; Medal of Honor MH of Vienna, Austria; Order of the King of Thailand; Charity Queen Award(2020). These accolades reflect not just her professional success, but her tireless efforts to give back to society.
The mission of The Hung Chi Ching Charitable Foundation is encapsulated in its motto: "Serving the People with Sincere Hearts, Caring for Our Countrymen, and Working Together to Create a Better Future." These principles reflect Lady Athena Hung Chi Ching's ultimate goal as an entrepreneur: to benefit society and uplift those in need. As many who her generosity has touched have said, “True affection exists in the world, Hung Chi Ching brings sunshine in love. ” Athena was once a sunflower seeking light, but she has now become a radiant sun, spreading warmth and hope wherever needed.
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