Wah Kwong president George SK Chao passes away

Born in Shanghai, George joined the family’s shipping business, started by his father TY Chao in the mid 1960s.

George was chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association (HKSOA) from 1996 to 1997, and he has been “great supporter of the work of the association and of the maritime sector in Hong Kong”, described Arthur Bowring, managing director of HKSOA.

George also served as chairman of Port Welfare Committee of Hong Kong, the chairman of Maritime Services Training Board and council member of the Vocational Training Council of the Hong Kong government and Advisor to Hong Kong International Arbitration Center.

He was appointed by the Chinese government to negotiate the protocols of Hong Kong and Taiwanese ships entering the respective ports in each other’s territory in advance of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR in 1997.

The annual Seatrade Maritime Asia Awards saw George received the Seatrade Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, presented to a very select few to honour individuals for their significant and lasting contributions to the maritime industry in Asia.

Sabrina Chao, eldest daughter of George, is currently the chairman of Wah Kwong.