CHAN, Philip Man Ping 陈文平
New Citizens,
Accession Number 003836
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 4
Total Reels
- Lye Soo Choon 赖素春
Interviewer
- 02:03:45
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 4
Metadata
- 5 Dec 2013
Recording Date
- 00:37:47
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born 1964 in Hong Kong. Family background, Teochew, fifth of six boys. Started working in 1983 as a dispatch boy in small company. Willing to do more and go the extra mile, hardworking and learnt at work, enhanced his English while working in the company. Father taught him to work hard. Good working attitude and gained chances, increase of salary, became second in sales department. Why he decided to start his own business at young age. How he started his business with investment from his former client. Challenges starting his business. Two brothers joined his company, how work was divided among them. Interviewee did sales, started shipping business covering Vietnam, Hong Kong and China. Came to Singapore and started a shipping company in 1990, as shipping routes between Singapore and Vietnam were more frequent and direct. Not highly educated and from humble family background but was street smart and able to deal well in business. Why he did not consider setting up company in Thailand. Process of setting up company in Singapore, did not consider too much on non-business factors. Initial plan was to stay two years in Singapore.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 4
Metadata
- 5 Dec 2013
Recording Date
- 00:36:59
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Compared Singapore and Hong Kong; Singaporeans did not like to work overtime. How he met his Singaporean wife in Batam. Decision to stay in Singapore was not due to Hong Kong's political handover from United Kingdom to China in 1997. Shipping business was good in early 1990s. Business was then hit by late 1990s economic crisis. Business was badly affected by banks’ policy of credit tightening. Income from property rentals dropped by 50%. Bank charged higher interests for his loan. Sold properties, club memberships, cars and cut his spending. Had strong determination to face challenges as he had to support his family. Left his shipping business to brother and became property agent in 1998. Why he chose to become property agent. Did well as he was down to earth and able to gain clients' trust. How he started and provided better services than other agents. Did not do Housing and Development Board (HDB) transactions as he had never stayed in HDB flat before, focused on private properties. Performed well, became Centre Director in 2000, later became Group Director. Besides sales, also became recruiter and trainer. Resigned as Group Director in 2005 to take care of wife who was ill. Sold his house to pay for medical fees. Started going to China to bring in property buyers since 2007.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 4
Metadata
- 5 Dec 2013
Recording Date
- 00:26:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Introducing Singapore properties to China buyers since 2007. Why he was only an agent of Singapore properties and not a developer. His competitive advantage. Started from Guangzhou, Shenzhen then to Shanghai and Beijing. Had to adjust according to changes in Singapore policy. Why China investors were interested to invest in Singapore properties. How he designed his company logo – Home (家). Encouraged and supported by his China client Wang Wen Yin 王文银, interviewee set up Wen Way Investment Pte Ltd 文威投资私人有限公司. His role as Director and shareholder. Company targets. Slim potential in residential properties, focused on commercial properties. Acquired top three floors of Tung Centre.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 4
Metadata
- 5 Dec 2013
Recording Date
- 00:22:26
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Secured a few big investments after his company Wen Way Investment was set up a year ago. Investment opportunities in Singapore were not easy to come by, also explored opportunities in nearby countries. Felt working hard was more important than luck. Company focused on commercial properties. Felt Singapore had better environment for family life than Hong Kong. Brought family to Hong Kong every year. One of his brothers also settled down in Singapore. Felt Hong Kong political situation was not as good as Singapore's. Singapore had become more like Hong Kong in terms of rising costs. About Kowloon Club. More members in 1990s as many immigrants from Hong Kong in 1990s due to Tiananmen Square incident in 1989. As President of Kowloon Club, he focused on charity projects and helping immigrants merge into Singapore society. Examples of how media focused on issues relating to new citizens. Felt Singapore could accept Hong Kong people. Plans for self and sons.
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