连瀛洲与新加坡华人社会，1927-1949 = Lien Ying Chow and Singaporean Chinese Society: 1927-1949

Abstract

Lien Ying Chow (Lian Yingzhou，连瀛洲，1906 – 2004) is a renowned Singaporean Chinese businessman who established the Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in 1949. Before his name was widely associated with the bank he built, he was well-known as an entrepreneur, and more so, a leader within the Singaporean Chinese community during the 1930s and 1940s. Surprisingly, despite being a notable leader back then, in contrast to his career, Lien’s contributions towards the Singaporean Chinese community have yet to be greatly documented in detail. This paper aims to focus on his contributions to the Singaporean Chinese community spanning 23 years from 1927 to 1949, taking references from Chinese and English language newspapers to commemorative books published by clan associations Lien was affiliated with. There are three main sections in this thesis: The first section focuses on the years 1927-1936. After leaving his first job at Kian Thye, which specialised on shipping, Lien decided to set up his first company in 1927, starting off his career as an entrepreneur based on his experiences at Kian Thye. His first successful attempt at entrepreneurship was in 1929, when he formed Wah Hin & Co. By 1936, Lien was recognised as a successful businessman within the Singaporean Chinese community. At the same time, Lien was increasingly involved with Chinese social organisations, such as the clan associations and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (now Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and provided services to mainly Singaporean huaqiao (China-born Chinese living in Singapore) in general. The second section pays particular attention to the years 1937-1946, a crucial period in Lien’s life. In 1937, Lien was invited to join the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, noted to be the most influential Chinese social and commercial organisation then, as a member of its Executive Committee. Later in 1941, he was nominated as its president, a position of which he held on to until after World War II ended, till 1946. During this period of time, he mostly dealt with resistance against Japanese aggression before the war and war rehabilitation efforts after the war for the Singaporean Chinese community. The third section will be about his contributions towards Singaporean society and politics from 1947 to 1949, before shifting his focus to OUB. Lien worked on administering issues presented to him by the Singaporean Chinese community, and relayed their opinions to the British colonial government. In addition, Lien still acknowledged his roots as a Chinese; he participated and organised China-related events, thereby also providing an avenue for other huaqiao to connect themselves with their homeland. Lien Ying Chow (Lian Yingzhou，连瀛洲，1906 – 2004) is a renowned Singaporean Chinese businessman who established the Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in 1949. Before his name was widely associated with the bank he built, he was well-known as an entrepreneur, and more so, a leader within the Singaporean Chinese community during the 1930s and 1940s. Surprisingly, despite being a notable leader back then, in contrast to his career, Lien’s contributions towards the Singaporean Chinese community have yet to be greatly documented in detail. This paper aims to focus on his contributions to the Singaporean Chinese community spanning 23 years from 1927 to 1949, taking references from Chinese and English language newspapers to commemorative books published by clan associations Lien was affiliated with. There are three main sections in this thesis: The first section focuses on the years 1927-1936. After leaving his first job at Kian Thye, which specialised on shipping, Lien decided to set up his first company in 1927, starting off his career as an entrepreneur based on his experiences at Kian Thye. His first successful attempt at entrepreneurship was in 1929, when he formed Wah Hin & Co. By 1936, Lien was recognised as a successful businessman within the Singaporean Chinese community. At the same time, Lien was increasingly involved with Chinese social organisations, such as the clan associations and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (now Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry), and provided services to mainly Singaporean huaqiao (China-born Chinese living in Singapore) in general. The second section pays particular attention to the years 1937-1946, a crucial period in Lien’s life. In 1937, Lien was invited to join the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, noted to be the most influential Chinese social and commercial organisation then, as a member of its Executive Committee. Later in 1941, he was nominated as its president, a position of which he held on to until after World War II ended, till 1946. During this period of time, he mostly dealt with resistance against Japanese aggression before the war and war rehabilitation efforts after the war for the Singaporean Chinese community. The third section will be about his contributions towards Singaporean society and politics from 1947 to 1949, before shifting his focus to OUB. Lien worked on administering issues presented to him by the Singaporean Chinese community, and relayed their opinions to the British colonial government. In addition, Lien still acknowledged his roots as a Chinese; he participated and organised China-related events, thereby also providing an avenue for other huaqiao to connect themselves with their homeland.