Lui Che Woo
Lui Che Woo – Life, Business, and Legacy
Explore the life of Lui Che Woo, the Hong Kong-based Chinese businessman, philanthropist, and founder of K. Wah Group and Galaxy Entertainment. Learn about his entrepreneurial journey, his contributions to Macau’s casino industry, his founding of the Lui Che Woo Prize, and his lasting legacy.
Introduction
Lui Che Woo (呂志和; August 9, 1929 – November 7, 2024) was a Chinese-Hong Kong business magnate, investor, and philanthropist who built a diversified empire spanning construction materials, property, hospitality, and gaming. As chairman of K. Wah Group and Galaxy Entertainment, he played a pivotal role in transforming Hong Kong and Macau’s urban and leisure landscapes. Beyond business, he championed civilizational values via the Lui Che Woo Prize, and donated heavily to education and society.
Over many decades, Lui embodied the entrepreneurial spirit—rising from modest beginnings to become one of Asia’s influential tycoons, while maintaining a strong commitment to social giving and institutional legacy.
Early Life and Family
Lui Che Woo was born on August 9, 1929, in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, China. Hong Kong, and his formative years were shaped by the turbulent era of Japanese occupation.
During the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in the 1940s, education was often disrupted, and Lui, like many of his generation, had to adapt. food manufacturing and distribution business to help support his family.
He was married to Chiu Kam Ping, and they had five children: Francis, Lawrence, Alexander, Paddy, and Eileen.
Business Career & Achievements
Founding K. Wah and Early Ventures
In 1955, Lui founded the K. Wah Company in Hong Kong, initially focusing on supplying construction materials and participating in land reclamation and urban projects.
In the 1960s, Lui stepped into property development and hotel business.
He also ventured into hotel and hospitality businesses, establishing Stanford Hotels International and partnering with international brands to bring global standards of hotel management to Asia.
Expansion into Gaming & Macau
A defining move came after Macau liberalized its casino industry. In 2002, when Macau introduced gaming concessions, Lui’s Galaxy Entertainment Group secured one of the coveted licenses. Galaxy Macau, an integrated resort combining casino, hotels, entertainment, and retail. The first phase opened in 2011.
Galaxy Entertainment was the first casino company in Macau to list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, marking a melding of gaming and capital markets.
Simultaneously, K. Wah diversified into mainland China, Southeast Asia, and global cities, developing properties and leveraging its vertically integrated business model.
Under Lui’s stewardship, the K. Wah Group encompassed over 200 subsidiaries across business sectors including construction materials, property, hospitality, leisure, and entertainment.
Honors, Recognition, and Leadership
Lui received numerous honors: Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Justice of the Peace (JP), and Hong Kong’s Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) among others.
He was known to maintain a relatively low public profile despite his wealth and influence, often wearing a flat cap in public.
Philanthropy, Vision & The Lui Che Woo Prize
Lui believed strongly in “giving back to society” and invested heavily in education, medical, and cultural institutions.
In 2015 he launched the Lui Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation, an annual international award designed to honor individuals or organizations contributing to sustainable development, welfare, and promoting positive life attitude. Sustainability Prize, Welfare Betterment Prize, and Positive Energy Prize, each with a cash award of HK$20 million.
Through this prize, Lui sought not just to reward achievement but to propagate ideas of harmony, civilization, and social progress.
Legacy and Influence
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Economic transformation: Lui’s businesses helped shape Hong Kong’s postwar construction era and Macau’s rise as a global gaming center.
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Institutional philanthropy: His educational donations and the Lui Che Woo Prize fostered a culture of giving and global civic ambition.
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Family succession: His children now play key roles in the businesses—particularly Francis Lui in Galaxy, and others in K. Wah operations.
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Symbol of principled entrepreneurship: Even as one of Asia’s wealthy individuals, he emphasized humility, social duty, and lasting impact.
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Impact beyond borders: His prize and philanthropy extended his influence beyond business, into discourse on civilization and social progress.
Selected Quotes & Philosophy
While Lui was not widely known for aphoristic quotes in media, his life and public statements reflect key philosophies:
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He often expressed belief in the importance of “sharing in harmony, plain virtues, and a simple approach.”
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His founding of the Prize reflects a conviction that material success should pair with moral and civilizational progress.
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Public statements and his biography underscore perseverance, conscientious work, and responsibility to society.