Hong Kong businessman and philanthropist Sir David Tang has died in London at the age of 63.
Best known as the founder of fashion brand Shanghai Tang, he also founded Hong Kong’s private member China Club in 1991.
He was educated in Britain, reading philosophy at King’s College London and law at Cambridge University.
Following a stint at his grandfather Sir Tang Shiu Kin’s solicitor firm, he joined Swire Pacific Limited before beginning his own ventures.
Tang was given the Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2008 in light of his charity work.
Last February, he gave a fiery defence of Hong Kong values at a sold-out talk at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club. He said that it would be stupid to think that Shanghai, with its “mainland judicial system, corruption, and lack of freedom” could overtake Hong Kong.
I have recently learnt earlier this evening from Lady Tang, the great man, Sir David Tang passed this evening. RIP. pic.twitter.com/eBREGiiSxT
— Ewan Venters (@ewanventers) August 29, 2017
News of his passing was shared on Wednesday by Ewan Venters, chief of London’s luxury department store Fortnum & Mason.
‘Farewell party’
Earlier in August, he was told by doctors that he had just weeks to live. He pledged to hold a farewell party at the Dorchester Hotel in London, according to The Times.
RIP Sir David Tang, businessman, philanthropist networker supreme. He will be sorely missed as a friend and FT columnist
— Lionel Barber (@lionelbarber) August 30, 2017
The invitation read: “As I have been given by my politburo of medical experts just a month or two to last, I thought the best way to go would be to give a party where we can see each other at least one time more, rather than at a memorial service where I shall be dead as a dodo.”
RIP dear friend Sir David Tang, the privilege was mine.
Witty, charming, intellectual, salacious , hilarious , loving and funny as f***— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) August 30, 2017
Tributes flooded in as the news broke. Tang’s friend and actor Russell Crowe, tweeted that Tang was “Witty, charming, intellectual salacious, hilarious, loving and funny as f***.”
RIP Sir David Tang, an old friend from Hong Kong days.
— Andrea Catherwood (@acatherwoodnews) August 30, 2017
The British consulate in Hong Kong also offered its condolences.
Very saddened to hear of the passing of Sir David Tang, a great friend & partner of the Consulate. Our thoughts are with his family. #RIP pic.twitter.com/kHsW8Awi5H
— UK in Hong Kong 🇬🇧 (@UKinHongKong) August 30, 2017
