张善庆 : 新加坡华侨领袖研究(1906-1916) = TEO SIAN KENG (ZHANG SHANQING): A STUDY OF A SINGAPORE CHINESE COMMUNITY LEADER (1906-1916)

Abstract

Teo Sian Keng (Zhang Shanqing, 1855-1916) was one of the prominent leaders of the Chinese community in Singapore during the early 20th century. Born in Ta Xia village of Nanjing county in Fujian province of China, he came to British Singapore in 1886 to work at a local herbal medicine shop for three years before opening his own company, focusing on the entrepot trade. The huge profit generated made him one of the most successful businessmen in Singapore then. Similar to other local leaders of the Chinese society, Teo Sian Keng held various leadership roles in Chinese-oriented organisations such as the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC), Thong Chai Medical Institution and Tao Nan School. His active involvement in business, healthcare and education sectors had huge impact on the development of Singapore Chinese community and enhanced his reputation as a well-respected leader of the Chinese society. At the same time, being one of the Chinese migrant leaders in Singapore, Teo Sian Keng had to deal with both the Chinese government and the British Colonial government, especially during his term as the President and Vice President of the SCCC from 1909 to 1912. Currently, there are no detailed studies of Teo Sian Keng. Most of the existing literature related to him are in the form of short biographies, briefly documenting his various leadership roles and contributions to the Chinese Society in Singapore. As such, by using primary sources such as SCCC's meeting minutes, publications, local newspapers and secondary sources such as books and journal articles, this thesis aims to highlight Teo's contributions to the Chinese Society as well as his personality, political viewpoint and identity as a Chinese migrant leader in Singapore by analysing his interactions with the Chinese society, China and British colonial government. This thesis will be divided into three main sections. The first section will examine Teo Sian Keng's contributions to the Chinese society in the business, healthcare and education sectors and highlight the various traits he possessed that allowed him to climb up the social ladder to become a well-respected Chinese leader. The second section will analyse Teo's relationship and interaction with the Qing government, Republic of China government as well as his hometown to gain insights on his political stand and the nature of his sense of belonging towards China as a Chinese migrant businessman and leader. Lastly, the third section will reflect Teo's identity and traits as a Chinese migrant leader through interactions with the British colonial government which allowed him to maintain good relationship with the authorities while protecting the interest of his fellow Chinese. This thesis concludes by reaffirming Teo Sian Keng's contributions to the Chinese society in Singapore. His personality and wisdom enabled him to gain trust and respect from the local Chinese community and maintain good relationships with both China and the British colonial government. His generosity towards the Chinese Community and hometown, bystander and detached attitude towards China politics while advocating the rights of Chinese community in front of the British Colonial government reflects the nature and common traits of a successful Chinese migrant leader during the early 20th century