Prosperity with Purpose: Lee Choon Seng and the Cultural Responsibilities of Singapore’s Early Chinese Business Leaders

This talk spotlights Lee Choon Seng (1888–1966) as a case study of how Chinese business leaders in Singapore shaped cultural and social life beyond the realm of commerce. It touches on the development of Singapore’s banking industry, highlighting Lee’s key role in the establishment of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) and his presidency of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI).

The talk also explores Lee’s multiple roles as a banker, community leader, philanthropist, and cultural patron. Lee’s work highlights his support for education, religion, heritage preservation, and political ideals. By focusing on his efforts to preserve Wan Qing Yuan and his founding of the Singapore Buddhist Federation, this session explores how business leadership helped sustain cultural identity, moral values, and civic life in Singapore.

The event will conclude with a short, guided tour of the SG60 exhibition, 60 Prominent Cultural Figures from the Chinese Community exhibition, held at Wan Boo Sow Chinese Library, located at the north wing of the Central Library building, Level 6. The exhibition will run until 31 March 2026.

Speaker

Dr Tan Teng Phee

Chief Researcher, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Dr Tan Teng Phee obtained his PhD from the Asia Research Centre, Murdoch University. He is a recipient of the Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship (2009) and Taiwan Fellowship (2018). His research focuses on Overseas Chinese social history, oral history, and collective memory. He is currently Chief Researcher at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Moderator

Shaun Choh

Senior Curator