Shi Wen-long

Shi Wen-long
許文龍
Wen-long in 2012
Born(1928-02-25)25 February 1928
Tainan, Taiwan, Empire of Japan
Died18 November 2023(2023-11-18) (aged 95)
Tainan, Taiwan
NationalityEmpire of Japan (1928–1945)
Republic of China (1945–2023)
OccupationBusinessperson
In this Chinese name, the family name is Hsu (Shi).

Shi Wen-long or Hsu Wen-lung[1] (Chinese: 許文龍; pinyin: Xǔ Wénlóng; Wade–Giles: Hsü Wen-lung; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Khó͘ bûn-liông; 25 February 1928 – 18 November 2023) was a Taiwanese businessman and the founder of Chi Mei Corporation, the largest maker of ABS resin in the world. He was ranked among Forbes' world's richest people.[2] He was the chairman of Chi Mei until his resignation in 2004, although he still held significant stakes in the company and sat on its board.

Shi was a senior advisor to Chen Shui-bian during his presidency and was known to support pro-Taiwan independence causes, a stance which made him unpopular with mainland China.[3] He claimed that Taiwanese women who acted as comfort women during Japanese rule were not forced to do so, which created much controversy.[4] Reportedly, Chi Mei Group faced pressure from the Chinese government, and after the Anti-Secession Law passed in 2005, Shi renounced Taiwan independence.[5]

In 1992, Shi founded the Chimei Museum, which collects valuable string instruments made by Antonio Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, and other famous artisans. The museum holds the world's largest collection of violins.[6] Shi was an amateur performing concert violinist.[7]

Shi Wen-long died on 18 November 2023, at the age of 95.[5][8]

  1. ^ Chimei profile
  2. ^ Forbes. Wen Long Shi & family. 9 March 2005.
  3. ^ China Radio International. China Won't Take Money from Taiwan Separatists. 1 June 2004.
  4. ^ Landler, Mark (2 March 2001). "Cartoon of Wartime 'Comfort Women' Irks Taiwan". The New York Times.
  5. ^ a b Lai, Yen-hsi; Hsiao, Alison (18 November 2023). "Taiwan's Chimei Group founder dies at 95". Central News Agency. Retrieved 18 November 2023. Having investments in petrochemicals in China, Chimei Group was said to have started feeling pressure from the Chinese government, with its local partner companies meeting different kinds of difficulties, including tax audits. In 2005, China passed the Anti-Secession Law, threatening to use force if Taiwan inches toward independence, and the DPP and hundreds of Taiwanese civil groups staged a major "democracy and peace protecting Taiwan" parade in protest against the law. Right before the parade, Shi released a public statement renouncing Taiwan's independence and supporting the concept of one China and the law. A local media outlet, citing one of Shi's old friends, reported that the statement was initiated by Beijing and the decision was excruciating for Shi, who cried when he talked about it.
  6. ^ Taiwan's museum 'for the poor' home to world's largest violin collection
  7. ^ Forbes. Wen Long Shi & family. 25 February 2004.
  8. ^ 吳, 秉鍇 (18 November 2023). "許文龍逝世／「錢是要用的，不是要省的」 奇美善盡社會責任成美談". United Daily News (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 November 2023.