Generations on, influence of Chinese philanthropist remains

SINGAPORE－After Japan launched its invasion of China in 1937, business pioneer and philanthropist Tan Kah-kee delivered passionate speeches to rally overseas Chinese scattered across Southeast Asian countries for funds and manpower to "help the motherland in her hour of need".

Patriot overseas

"Deep down, he was a patriot. He felt very strongly about supporting not just the motherland, but the entire Chinese race with its 5,000-year-old history ... His appeal was emotional, straight from the heart," recounts Tan's granddaughter, Peggy Tan, from her home in eastern Singapore.