Tang Hsiang Chien, GBS

Gold Bauhinia Star

The Gold Bauhinia Star is the highest rank in Order of the Bauhinia Star in Hong Kong, created in 1997 to replace the British honours system of the Order of the British Empire after the transfer of sovereignty to People's Republic of China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special...

, OBE

Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...

, JP

Justice of the Peace

A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...

was a member of the Standing Committee of the 7-9th CPPCC National Committee

Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference [], shortened as 人民政协, Rénmín Zhèngxié, i.e. "People's PCC"; or just 政协, Zhèngxié, i.e. "The PCC"), abbreviated CPPCC, is a political advisory body in the People's Republic of China...

.

Tang graduated from Tatung University in Shanghai in 1945 and received a master's degree from Illinois State University

Illinois State University

Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...

 in 1948. He moved to Hong Kong in 1950. He is the father of Henry Tang Ying Yen, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong.

Political and community leader

His position inside the standing community placed him in lead positions on a number of boards and committees. He had an important role in Hong Kong's transfer of power from the UK to China in the years leading up to 1997. His business ventures included managing director of SOCO Textiles (Hong Kong) Ltd., chairman of Peninsula Knitters Ltd. of Hong Kong, general manager of Xinjiang Tianshan Woolen Fabric Co, Ltd. and general manager of Shanghai United Woolentex Group and Guandong Lianfa Woolen Fabric Co. Ltd.

His community work included chairman of the Hong Kong Textile Trade Union, member of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and vice-chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1861. It is a self-funding, non-profit organization whose mission is to safeguard and represent trade, service and industry in Hong Kong...

. During the reversion of Hong Kong to China, he served on the PRC Consultative Committee on Basic Law

Hong Kong Basic Law

The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China...

, on the first group of advisors on Hong Kong affairs, on the preparatory committee for Hong Kong SAR and on the selection committee for the first Hong Kong SAR government.