Evergreen Group founder Chang Yung-fa dies at 88

2016/01/22

Chang Yung-fa, founder of Taiwan shipping and transportation conglomerate Evergreen Group, died Jan. 20 aged 88 in Taipei City, according to a statement by the company.

Born 1927 in Yilan County of eastern Taiwan, Chang started his shipping career with Minami Nippon Steamship’s Keelung office at 14. He founded Evergreen Marine Corp. in 1968 and grew the one-vessel company into one of the world’s largest container carriers.

Over the years, Chang’s business expanded to logistics, travel and related services, including a hotel chain with locations in Taipei, Bangkok, Paris and other cities.

The tycoon entered the aviation sector in 1989 with EVA Airways Corp., Taiwan’s first privately owned international airline. The Taoyuan City-based carrier provides passenger and cargo services in over 40 markets around the world.

ROC President Ma Ying-jeou said in his eulogy that Chang will be remembered for his invaluable contributions to the global development of Taiwan’s air and maritime transport. “He was equally well known for his tireless promotion of art and culture, diplomacy, philanthropy and public welfare.”

Ranked No. 17 on the 2015 Forbes Taiwan Rich List with wealth of US$1.6 billion, the billionaire set up Chang Yung-fa Foundation in 1985 to advance charitable causes. He said the purpose of an enterprise lies in its ability to serve the public and give back to society.

“An entrepreneur should base his business on moral principles,” Chang said in a recent interview with the local media, adding that morality and upstanding conduct go hand in hand. “This approach must also apply to the government and the people.”

Chang is survived by his wife and five children. He publicly pledged in 2012 to donate his estate to the foundation as a way of ensuring the continuation of its charitable works.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications said all requisite procedures have been initiated to secure a presidential citation for the titan of the Taiwan transportation industry.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241585&ctNode=2194&mp=9)