A native of Hong Kong with ancestral homes in Puning, Guangdong, Dr. Stephen TAI Tak-fung is the founder and chairman of Four Seas Group. He founded Four Seas Group in 1971. With his unique vision and keen market sense, Dr. Tai was the first to introduce Japanese snacks, which were little known at the time, to the Hong Kong market, and has led the Four Seas Group to continuous development for half a century. The Group has grown from a small Japanese snacks importer to one of the largest food enterprises in Hong Kong, specialising in food trading and distribution, food manufacturing, retail and catering, as well as raw material supply and investment holdings business.

As a pioneer of the food industry, Dr. Tai is highly recognised for his contributions and achievements in the society and the food industry. He has received many honours and awards, including the World Outstanding Chinese Award, Outstanding Contribution Award of the China National Food Industry, Investment Icon of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, Asia Leading Entrepreneur, Asia Brand Annual Character Award, the Worldwide Prominent Chiu Chow Business Leader Award. He was conferred the Industrialist of the Year Award, Hong Kong Distinguished Brand Leader Award and Outstanding Contribution Award by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, Hong Kong Brand Development Council and the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, as well as the Capital Magazine respectively.

Dr. Tai was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays by the Japanese Emperor in 2017. He was also conferred the 30th Food Industry Distinguished Service Award of Japan and the Award of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan for the Overseas Promotion of Japanese Food by the Government of Japan in 1999 and 2009, in recognition of his contributions towards the promotion of Japanese food products in China.

Dr. Tai is a renowned patriotic and Hong Kong-loving entrepreneur who has actively participated in social affairs for many years and made significant contributions to society. He was appointed as Justice of the Peace by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2001 and was awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star, Gold Bauhinia Star and Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2004, 2010 and 2017 respectively. Dr. Tai served as a standing committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (“CPPCC”) and a standing committee member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPPCC. He also serves several public positions, including the permanent honorary president of Friends of Hong Kong Association, the founding chief president of the Association of the Hong Kong Members of Guangdong’s CPPCC Committees, the founding chairman of the Hong Kong CPPCC (Provincial) Members Association, the chairman of the Hong Kong Guangdong Chamber of Foreign Investors, the president of the Hong Kong Foodstuffs Association and the Concerted Efforts Resource Centre, as well as the chairman of Hong Kong Army Cadets Association.

Dr. Tai devotes himself to education and charitable service. In 1998, he established the Concerted Efforts Resource Centre in Hong Kong. Over the years, he has worked with the Hong Kong Garrison and organised activities such as the “Military Summer Camp for Hong Kong Youth” to enhance national awareness and patriotism among Hong Kong youth. Dr. Tai has also donated funds to build schools and set up scholarships in his hometown, Puning, Guangdong, to encourage more young and promising students to contribute to the development of his hometown and the prosperity of the Motherland.